










































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































I i 
















ADAM REIGART, Jr., 

PRESIDENT FROM l8lj TO 1844. 






* 



OF THE 


CITY OF LANCASTER, PENNA. 


FROM 1760 TO 1879. 



By ALFRED SANDERSON. 

***■■• »■ V'"' 


LANCASTER, PA. 

PUBLISHED BY THE COMPANY. 
FROM THE PRESS OF INQUIRER P. & P. CO. 

1879 . 




~TH H 505 

• . L 307453 

LIST OF OFFICERS FOR 1879. 


PRESIDENT, 

HENRY E. SLAYMAKER. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS, 

E. E. SNYDER, J. L. LYTE. 

SECRETARY, 

G. EDW. HEGENER. 

ASSISTANT, SECRETARY, 

GEORGE H. SHENK. 

TREASURER, 

CHARLES A. HEINITSH. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE, 

JOHN ALBRIGHT, J. R. WATERS, 

W. H. CLEPPER. 


CHIEF ENGINEER, 

JACOB R. WATERS. 

ASSISTANT ENGINEERS, 

G. BYRON CUMMINGS, FRANK SPICER, 

W. H. CLEPPER, GEORGE H. SHENK, 

CHIEF HOSE DIRECTOR, 

CHARLES SEITH. 

ASSISTANT HOSE DIRECTORS, 

VICTOR RISSE, JACOB KELLER, 

H. SNYDER, ' PHILIP KEMPF, 

ALBERT C. CLINTON, J. P. YOUNGMAN. 


COLLECTOR, 

D. L. ROTHARMEL. 

DRIVERS, 

C. C. GEITER, A. J. CON N ER. 


2.021 AH 










TO TI1E MEMORY 


OF THE 

FOUNDERS OF THE UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I, 

THIS VOLUME 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
BY 


THE MEMBERS OF 1879. 


PORTRAITS. 


BAER, B. F. 

BUCHANAN, JAMES 
COOPER, CHARLES W. 
EBERMAN, JOHN . 
EHLER, JOHN . 
HEGENER, G. EDW. 
HEINITSH, CHARLES A. 
LIGHTNER, NEWTON 
LYTE, J. L. 

REED, GEORGE K. . 
REED, HENRY R. 
REIGART, ADAM, Sr. 
REIGART, ADAM, Jr. . 
SLAYMAKER, H. E. . 
SNYDER, EDWIN E. 
THURLOW, THOMAS 
WYLIE, STUART A. 


PAGE. 

8 o 

. 28 
70 

. 20 
36 
. I32 
142 

• 54 
124 

• 64 
46 
10 

/ \ 

1 

98 
11 4 
. 106 
88 



PREFACE. 


“Instituted 1760.” “In Union there is Strength.” A little more than 
a quarter of a century ago, there stood an old hand fire engine in a lath 
and plastered building, directly opposite to the office of the Lanccister 
Intelligencer , in Market Square, in the city of Lancaster. The house be¬ 
longed to the Union Fire Company, and was located in what was called 
Union Court, in the rear of the residence of the late Peter McConomy, 
Esq. Two things were especially noticeable—these were the year of 
organization, and the motto of the Company, which were painted on the 
front and sides of the engine, and are given above. The first by reason 
of its age; the second, because it denoted a unity, a grandeur, a sin¬ 
cerity, a determination, which did not fail to impress the mind of any 
one, be he young or old. The unity of purpose which then character¬ 
ized the members of the Union Fire Company, which characterized 
their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, and which character¬ 
izes those of to-day, exhibits to a great extent the why and wherefore 
that this organization ranks first in seniority, first in activity, and first in 
enterprise in the Lancaster Fire Department, as then and now consti¬ 
tuted. These are no idle or merely boastful words—the records are ex¬ 
tant, and the testimony of dead and living witnesses is at hand, to cor¬ 
roborate them. It is not pretended to give every item and incident in 
connection with the origin, progress, and present status of this Company, 
for that would make a volume unwieldy, certainly unnecessary, for pres¬ 
ent purposes ; but extracts have been culled from the records and bor¬ 
ough archives, the reminiscences of old citizens have been drawn upon, 
and the information obtained has been compiled in such a shape as to 
be of value and interest not only to the members of the Union, but to 
the citizens of Lancaster, because the history of this Company is in 
reality the history of the borough and city. It was organized only thirty 
years after the town was founded, in fact when it was but a straggling 
village, and in the progress, prosperity, and enterprise of this commun¬ 
ity, its members have invariably taken a leading part. It numbers on 
its roll men who were noted in Colonial, Revolutionary, National, State, 
and local affairs, and among its members have been a signer of the 
Declaration of Independence, members of the Colonial and first and 

(v) 




VI 


PREFACE 


second Congresses of the United States, a President of the United States, 
two Justices of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, three Judges of the 
Court of Common Pleas, and others who have figured prominently in 
almost every position in life. 

When it was determined to write the history of this organization, it 
was the original intention to publish it as a communication in one of 
the excellent and enterprising daily journals of Lancaster. It needed, 
however, but a brief examination of the mass of records to be con¬ 
vinced that this was impracticable. Hence the shape it has assumed. 
It comprises a sketch of the more important doings of the Company 
from the year 1760 down to the present time, with an interspersing of 
biographical, reminiscential, and other incidents, an index, and a list 
of the active and honorary members. The work is illustrated with 
seventeen portraits of prominent deceased and living members, and 
engravings of the several apparatuses. 

The author desires to tender his thanks to Luther Richards, Esq., Gen. 
James L. Reynolds, John Iv. Reed, Esq., George M. Kline, Esq., Mr. J. 
M. Long, Mr. Henry Michael, Gen. George M. Steinman, Dr. Henry 
Carpenter, H. B. Swarr, Esq., Col. William B. Fordney, Col. William L. 
Peiper, Dr. Isaac C. Weidler, Hon. John T. MacGonigle, Mr. Frank P. 
Griffitts, Capt. George L. Boyle, Mr. Christian Zecher, Mr. William Hen- 
sel, Mr. John W. Jackson, Mr. Reuben A. Baer, Mr. James McKenna, 
Mr. Samuel F. Erisman, Col. Samuel H. Price, of Lancaster, and John 
W. Brown, Esq., of Harrisburg, for a number of excellent suggestions 
and several interesting incidents, which have been made use of, and, 
he thinks, have enhanced whatever of merit there may be in what has 
been written. Also, to Messrs. Henry E. Slaymaker, Robert Clark, 
G. Edw. Hegener, J. L. Lyte, W. H. Clepper, and G. Byron Cummings, 
of the Publication Committee, for the aid they have rendered ; to the 
members of the Union generally, for the zeal and interest they have 
manifested in, and to the press of Lancaster for their kind notices of, the 
preparation of this Historical Sketch. 

Lancaster, April, 1879. 


INDEX. 


Active Members . 

Aid to Yellow Fever Sufferers 
American Centennial 
An Engine from London 
A Steamer Decided Upon 
Assignment to Duty . 

Badge of Office 
Banquets in After Years 
Bread to the Poor . 

Building an Engine House 
Button Hose Carriage 
Button Suction Engine 
Centennial Anniversary . 

Death of Adam Reigart, Sr. . 

Death of Adam Reigart . 

Death of Capt. B. F. Baer 
Death of Ex-President Buchanan 
Death of Stuart A. Wylie 
Dedication 

During the Revolution 
Excursion to York 
Feasts and Merry Makings 
Fire at Litiz 

Firemen’s Duties in 1820 
Fires in Olden Time 
Fires of 1878 

Fires of the Last Fifty Years 
First Election of Officers 
First Hose Carriage 
First Hose Cart 
Forebodings of Secession 
Free from Debt . . 

Honorary Chief Engineer 
Honorary Members 
Incident of Major Andre . 

Incidents of the Past . 

( vii ) 




Vlll 


INDEX. 


Introduction of Water into the City 

PAGE. 

49 

Leather Badges ..... 

• 45 

Letter from Col. John W. Forney 

60 

Location of First Engine House 

10 

Lyle, David M. 

96 

Members Exempt from Fines 

• 13 

Mourning for Dead Heroes .... 

82 

Names of the Union Patriots .... 

. 79 

New Engine ...... 

43 

New Engine Houses Wanted .... 

21 

New Year’s Gift to the Company 

102 

Off for the War ...... 

78 

Officers of 1879 ..... 

2 

Officers of the Company, Past and Present 

145 

Organization of the Company 

9 

Our 116th Anniversary ..... 

112 

Parade of 1838 ..... 

• 53 

Parade of 1867 ...... 

94 

Presentation to Capt. B. F. Baer . 

IOI 

Presentation to Col. Thomas Thurlow 

. 108 

Presentation to President H. E. Slaymaker 

114 

Presentation to Stuart A. Wylie 

. 102 

Question of Seniority ..... 

66 

Reception of Steamer .... 

. 89 

Reservoirs, Night Watch, etc. .... 

2 5 

Resignation of John Eberman 

48 

Resignation of Henry R. Reed .... 

57 

Return of the Union Guards .... 

81 

Roll of Members in 1844 .... 

58 

Successful Fair ...... 

82 

Testimonial to George'K. Reed 

• 93 

The Company’s Relics ..... 

148 

The Firemen of 1814 

• 38 

The First Parade ...... 

5 2 

The First Reservoir Discussed 

is 

Union Memorial in the United States Senate 

78 

% 

Visit of the Hope Steam Fire Co., of Philadelphia 

. 66 

Visit of the Lafayette Hose, of Baltimore 

58 

Visit of the United States Hose, of Philadelphia 

. 94 

Who Have Been Members .... 

143 

Work of the Suction and Steam Engines 

• 138 


HISTORICAL SKETCH 


OF THE 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, No. 1. 


ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY. 



HE precise time of the organization of the Company can- 


-L not be exactly arrived at, but from the earliest records 
extant, it was in existence in August, 1760. At a meeting of 
the Company, held January 15, 1836, Messrs. John Brown, P. 
K. Breneman, John Eberman, Peter Bier, Jr., Charles Kline,. 
Henry E. Leman, and Edward A. Brien, a committee to revise 
the by-laws, made a thorough and patient investigation of the 
subject, and reported that there was no question of the Com¬ 
pany having met and transacted business in the month of 
August, 1760. Further investigation since that time has but 
tended to confirm the verity of the committee’s report, made 
forty-three years ago. In fact, an examination of the borough 
archives leads the writer and a committee of the Company to 
believe that the Union even existed between 1742 and 1750. 
A meeting of the corporate officers in 1744 refers to the con¬ 
dition of the fire ladders, hooks, and buckets. The Burgesses 
and Assistant Burgesses serving between those years were all 
members of this Company. A receipt, found since the begin¬ 
ning of this Historical Sketch, dated January 7, 1761, from 
Edward Shippen, agent for James Hamilton, acknowledges 
the payment of £ 1 . 4.6 sterling, four years’ ground rent, on 
half lot, No. 379, belonging to Bernard Wolf, and upon this* 


( 9 ) 



10 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


lot ground rent was paid several years subsequently. Inquiry 
shows that if not the same, it was in the immediate vicinity of 
the property of the late Rev. William Beates, on West King 
street, between Water and Mulberry, and upon this lot, it has 
been pretty well ascertained, the first engine house stood. 
The oldest minute book, from which a number of the first 
pages are missing, shows that there had been previous meet¬ 
ings, and that the Company was organized for some time at 
least before 1764. At a meeting, on the 25th of August, in 
that year, “ Mathias Slough paid into the Treasurer’s hands 
the sum of one pound two shillings fines, which were col¬ 
lected by him; also, five shillings, which is his fine for neg¬ 
lecting to summon the Company to meet in June last, agree¬ 
ably to the articles. Christian Voght, the present Clerk, paid 
into the hands of the Treasurer the sum of fourteen shillings, 
fines collected by him.” 

At this meeting there were present: “William Dehuff, 
Robert Fulton, Joseph Simons, Anthony Snyder, Christian 
Voght, John Stone, Christopher Crawford, Samuel Boyd, 
John Hopton, Mathias Slough, Henry Dehuff, John Eber- 
man, Mathias Dehuff, Adam Reigart, Charles Klugh, George 
Graeff, Abraham Riblet, Godlip Kline, George Burkhart.” 

And the absent members were: “Adam Simon Kuhn, Wm. 
A. Atlee, Christ. Ginther, Isaac Whitelock, Edward Shippen, 
Leonhart Kline, Lodwick Stone, Christ. Reigart, John Postle- 
thwait, Caleb Sheward, James Peters.” 

LOCATION OF THE FIRST ENGINE HOUSES. 

The first engine house, as has been already stated, was 
located on lot No. 379. It was a one-story movable frame 
structure, and was subsequently removed to Hoffman’s run, 
now Water street, in the neighborhood of the Stevens House. 
At the latter place it stood for many years, and quite a num¬ 
ber of our older citizens have a distinct recollection of the 
building. Upon the purchase of the gallery engine, in 1823, 



ADAM REIGART, Sr., 

TREASURER FROM 1 789 TO l8l^. 


'VmVw' 










UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. II 

it was found to be too small, and was sold to the late Mr. 
Jacob Frey, and remained for a long time upon his property, 
in West King street. The second house, also a one-story 
movable frame building, was located in the rear of the Penn¬ 
sylvania Branch Bank (subsequently the Lancaster Savings 
Institution), at the corner of West King and Prince streets. 
This building, also becoming too contracted for the Com¬ 
pany’s purposes, was sold to the Humane Hose Company, in 
1838, and occupied by that organization for years. 

IMPORTATION OF AN ENGINE FROM LONDON. 

The following minute, having reference to the purchase of 
an engine, is from the proceedings of a meeting of the Com¬ 
pany, held December 9, 1764: 

“The Members of this Company of the Committee, to wit, 
Edward Shippen, John Hopton and William Atlee, do report 
that at a meeting of the Committee of the three Companys on 
Monday, the 24th inst., it was agreed, by the said General 
Committee that the Moneys subscribed by the inhabitants of 
this Borough for a Fire Engine should be immediately col¬ 
lected by Bernard Hubley, John Hopton, William Bowsman 
and Marcus Young, and should be by them, when collected, 
applied toward purchasing the said Fire Engine, and that the 
said Committee hath agreed to employ or desire Mr. Wm. 
West, of Philada., Mercht., to import the said Engine for the 
said Company, which report being considered is approved, 
and the said Committee it is agreed shall dispose of said 
Moneys when collected in purchasing a Fire Engine in the 
manner they shall judge most for the benefit of the Com¬ 
panys, to wit, the Union, Friendship and Sun Companys.” 

This engine, the second in the Company’s possession, and 
the only one of which there remains any account, was im¬ 
ported from London. It was a small affair, an insignificant 
thing in comparison with the huge steam fire engine of the 
Company of the present day, but it did good service notwith- 


12 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


standing. It was supplied with water from the public pumps 
or wells by means of leathern buckets, which were passed 
from one member to another—the Company being formed 
into two lines, one passing the filled buckets to the engine, 
the other returning those that were empty. It was finally 
sold to the corporation of the Borough of Manheim, in Lan¬ 
caster county, was used by the citizens of that town for a long 
while, and was housed in the engine house, which stood in 
the public square. What has since become of it has not been 
learned. 

FIRE LADDERS, ETC. 

At the same meeting, “Anthony Snyder, it is agreed, shall 
provide immediately four Fire Ladders at the Expense of this 
Company, to wit, two long ones and two short ones, with 
proper hooks, and two poles for Fire Hooks, and redner his 
account for them at the next meeting, to be allowed and paid 
by the Treasurer.” 

THE BOROUGH AUTHORITIES RESOLVE TO BUILD AN ENGINE 

HOUSE. 

Shortly after this the Borough authorities took up the ques¬ 
tion of building a house to accommodate three fire engines 
at least. A meeting of the Burgesses and Assistant Burgesses 
of the Borough of Lancaster, was held in the month of July, 
1765, at which “it was considered and agreed that'a House be 
forthwith erected fit to contain three Fire Engines at least, 
in and on the Northwest Corner of the Market house, to take 
up in length of the Market house three Pillars, and not to 
take up more than four feet of the inside of the said Market 
house. And Mr. John Feltman and Mr. Jacob Fetter are 
hereby appointed to carry out and erect the aforesaid House 
as they think most advantageous to the Corporation, and 
bring their Accounts of the Expenses of said Building to be 
reimbursed by the Corporation.” 

There is nothing in the records of either the Company or 
borough to indicate that the Union ever occupied this house. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


13 


DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF CHIMNEY FIRES. 

The Burgesses and Assistant Burgesses held another meet¬ 
ing on the 21st of November, 1765, when “the Dangerous 
Consequences of Chimneys being set on fire was considered. 
It was therefore ordered that notice shall be given to the 
Inhabitants of this Borough that they shall keep th ir Chim¬ 
neys clean. That if any person’s Chimney shall catch fire so 
as to blaze out at the top, they shall pay a fine of twenty shil¬ 
lings, agreeably to an Act of Assembly. Notice was likewise 
given to the Inhabitants.” 

STRINGENT RULES AND PENALTIES. 

In those days, and for many years after, the Company was 
not permitted to consist of over forty members, and when one 
died, resigned, or was expelled, another person was imme¬ 
diately chosen in his place. 

The members were required to take their turn monthly as 
Secretary or “Clark” (as it was often written), and anyone 
refusing or neglecting to do so was fined five shillings. 

Fines for non attendance were even collected from the 
estates of deceased members. In addition to fining for non- 
attendance, a penalty was imposed for “ not having bucket, 
bag, or basket.” 

To show that the Company was no respecter of persons, 
the following minute occurs on the 25th of May, 1765 : 
“William A. Atlee ordered to be charged for Neglect of Duty 
in summoning Caleb Sheward to ring.” 

Another member, “ refusing to pay his fines, amounting to 
nine shillings,” it was ordered “ that he should be expelled 
the Company, which he is accordingly, and that the succeed¬ 
ing Clerk give Notice of a New Member being to be chosen 
in his Room.” 

» 

WHEN MEMBERS WERE EXEMPT FROM FINE. 

If members were less than ten miles away from town on the 
evening of a meeting they were invariably fined, but if or be- 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


14 

yond that distance the fine was not exacted. The following 
quaint minute appears on the record of the 28th of February, 
1767: 

“ Samuel Boyd is excused 4 of his Fines, he being 4 times 
10 miles from Town. 

“ George Burghart is also excused 3 of his Fines, he being 
3 times 10 miles from Town. 

“Leonard Kline is excused the 1 Fine imposed on him at 
last meeting, being then 10 miles from Town.” 

CARE AND INSPECTION OF THE ENGINES. 

In those good old times, halcyon days they must have been, 
as much interest was manifested in the caring for and inspec¬ 
tion of the “ machines” as is given now, as is shown from the 
following minute of a meeting of the Company on the 26th 
of October, 1765 : 

“As this Company think it necessary, and that it would be 
of general advantage, that some person might be chosen to 
take the care of and inspect the Fire Engines and keep them 
in proper order, the consideration and appointment of a proper 
Person for that purpose with his allowance for his Services is 
referred to the Committee of the three Companys, and it is 
not doubted but the other Companys will think the same 
necessary, and give their instruction to the same effect to 
their members belonging to the Committee.” 

HOW THE MEMBERS WERE ASSIGNED TO WORK. 

That the position of a fireman in those days was no mere 
sinecure, is shown by the fact that at a meeting of the Com¬ 
pany on the 22d of February, 1766, the members were assigned 
to duty in squads as follows, in cases of fire: 

“ Edward Shippen, Adam Simon Kuhn, James Burd, Wil¬ 
liam Atlee—To direct and form lines, etc. 

“ Robert Boyd, Godfried Klyne, John Sayre, Samuel Boyd, 
Christian Voght—Carriers of goods. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. I 5 

«■ 

“ John Hopton, Joseph Simon, George Graeff, Lodwick 
Stone—Door men. 

“ William Henry, Mathias Slough—Pipe players. 

“ Christopher Reigart, Adam Reigart, Henry Dehuff, Peter 
Riblet, Mathias Dehuff, Abraham Riblet—Workers of the 
Engine. 

“Anthony Snyder, Fred. Tombaugh, Christopher Crawford, 
John Eberman, Charles Klugh, Rudy Stoner, George Burk- 
hard, Leonard Klyne—To carry ladders, hooks and forks.” 

THE FIRST RESERVOIR THOUGHT OF. 

At least seventy years before the first reservoir, at the head 
of East King street, was built, a reservoir was proposed by 
the Company. At a meeting, on the 30th of August, 1766, 
“ the Members of the General Committee belonging to this 
Company are instructed to request a meeting of the rest of the 
Committee, and to let them know that it is the opinion of this 
Company that a Reservoir be made on the Run in Queen 
street, and that if there is not already money enough in the 
hands of the Committee, they are willing to pay their propor¬ 
tion of the deficiency.” 

DEALING IN LOTTERY TICKETS. 

The Company, every now and then, indulged in the pur¬ 
chase of lottery tickets, but, like a good many people nowa¬ 
days, who invest their surplus cash in similar projects, invari¬ 
ably drew—blanks. On the 31st of December, 1768, “Ber¬ 
nard Wolf reports that the Company’s Treasurer, agreeably 
to the order of last meeting, hath paid into his hands the sum 
of 40 shillings to purchase a ticket in the present Philadel¬ 
phia Public Lottery, and that he hath accordingly purchased 
a ticket in the 3d class of the said lottery, which he now pro- 
duceth, and is numbered 3635. Upon considering the matter, 
his conduct is approved of. He is directed to keep the ticket 
in his hands until next meeting, that it may then be delivered 
to the Treasurer for the Company’s use and benefit.” 


i6 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


And, again, on the 25th of June, 1774, “it is agreed and 
ordered that the Treasurer purchase three tickets in the 
Conestoga Bridge Lottery, for the benefit of the Company’s 
stock, and report the Numbers to the next meeting. 

“ No. 3, No. 234, No. 239, are the numbers of the Com¬ 
pany’s tickets in the First Class of the Conestoga Bridge 
Lottery, signed by Adam Reigart, and are in the Treasurer’s 
hands.” 

One or two other instances are also given where there was 
an investment in lottery tickets, but without any success. 

INVESTING IN A LIBRARY. 

On the 28th of October, 1769, “ it is agreed that the Treas¬ 
urer pay into the hands of Bernard Hubley and William 
Bowsman, twenty pounds for the use of the Juliana Library 
in Lancaster, on condition that the above gentlemen give 
their bond to the Treasurer for the same, payable in 12 
months, with interest.” 

Whether the literary tastes of the members resulted in any 
benefit, pecuniary or otherwise, is not recorded. 

DURING THE REVOLUTION. 

For several years prior to and during the Revolution, al¬ 
though the Company maintained its organization intact, 
nothing of importance seems to have occurred. For two 
years, in 1777 and 1778, no meetings were held, many of the 
members of the Union being absent in the service of the 
Revolutionary Army. Notwithstanding the apparent apathy, 
there was considerable solicitude manifested as to the proper 
care of the engines, for on the 28th of January, 1775, it is re¬ 
corded that “ Mr. Charles Hall having had care of the Fire 
Engines since December, 1773, and no allowance having been 
made to Mr. Hall for his trouble, and the Sun Fire Company 
being to bear a proportional part of the expense in taking 
care of the Engines, the following persons, to wit, Christian 



UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 




Voght, Samuel Boyd and William A. Atlee, are appointed a 
Committee for this Company to wait upon the Sun Fire Com¬ 
pany, at their next meeting, and confer with them upon this 
matter, and for the Sun to be allowed and settle whether the 
Engines are to be continued under the care of Mr. Hall—it 
being the sentiments of this Company that they be continued 
undef Mr. Hall’s care, if agreeable to that Company.” 

NEW LADDERS, ETC., ORDERED. 

On the nth of December, 1784, the following minute is 
recorded : “ It being proposed, and it is unanimously agreed 
to, that three Ladders be provided for the use of this Com¬ 
pany, and paid for out of their Stock—one of forty-five feet in 
length, with hooks and rollers to accommodate the Roof of a 
House, and also a Tackle Rope and Basket for letting down 
Persons in distress during fire. And Messrs. Adam Reigart 
and Jacob Krug be requested to provide the same forthwith. 
The Ladders to be painted, and the word UNION be put 
thereon.” 


REGARDING THE STORAGE OF POWDER. 

At this same meeting, “ it is proposed and unanimously 
assented to that three Persons, Members of this Company, 
should attend the Corporation of this Borough, at their Meet¬ 
ing on Tuesday next, to request that a Petition may be pre¬ 
sented to the Legislature or Executive Council of this State, 
for the purchase of the Powder Magazine of this Borough, for 
the reception of the powder in the Merchants’ Possession, and 
to request of the Corporation that the Act respecting th£ 
quantity of powder to be kept by any one Person in his 
House may be rigidly carried into execution, without respect 
of Persons. The Members to attend on the Corporation for 
the purpose aforesaid are agreed to be Jasper Yeates, John- 
Hubley and Ludwig Lauman.” 


2 


18 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


DELINQUENT MEMBERS TO BE REPORTED. 

And at the same meeting, it was “agreed that the next 
meeting be at the House of Frederick Hubley, and that Wm, 
A. Atlee, Esquire, be the Clerk who is to collect the Fines in 
arrears, and pay particular attention that the Fire Buckets, 
Bags and Baskets of the Members be in order, and to report 
the delinquent members.” 

FIRES AT THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

At a meeting, on the 31st of December, 1785, “the Com¬ 
pany, taking into consideration the frequent Fires that have 
happened to the Public buildings in this Town, and the pro¬ 
priety of the public being prepared against such accidents, it 
was agreed that Jasper Yeates, John Hubley and Stephen 
Chambers be a Committee to wait on the Court and Grand 
Jury at the next General Quarter Sessions to be held for this 
County, and to request them to direct the Commissioners of 
this County to procure one Fire Engine and a reasonable 
number of Buckets at the expense of the County.” 

SYMPATHY FOR THE “THREE-STORY LADDER.” 

On the 27th of January, 1787, “the Company took into 
consideration the situation of the Three-Story Ladder belong¬ 
ing to the Fire Companies, on account of its being exposed to 
the weather. It was unanimously agreed that some shelter be 
provided for it. And Messrs. Christopher Hager and Conrad 
Swarts are appointed to get some sufficient cover made to 
secure it, and the expenses attending it to be paid out of the 
Company’s stock.” 

ANOTHER FIRE ENGINE WANTED. 

At a meeting on the 27th of December, 1788, “John Miller 
and Christian App, Members of the Sun Fire Company, 
attended as a deputation from their Company, respecting the 
mode to be pursued in procuring another Fire Engine for the 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


1 9 


use of tne Borough, and also about the expense accrued in 
repairing those Engines we already have, which business is 
now postponed until an application is made to the Court and 
Grand Jury to have an Engine purchased by the Commis¬ 
sioners out of the County rates and levies for the use of the 
Publick.” 


GEORGE Ross’s FINES REMITTED. 

Elsewhere it is noted that George Ross, a member of the 
last Colonial Congress, and one of the signers of the Declara¬ 
tion of Independence, was a member of the Union, having 
joined it long before the Revolution. His son, George, was 
also a prominent member of the Company, and on the 31st of 
January, 1789, it was “agreed by the Company to remit 14 
shillings.of his fines, he being in Public Service.” Mr. Ross’s 
other sons, William B. and James, were also for many years 
members of the Company. 

“ STILL HARPING ON MY DAUGHTER.” 

Those old members of the Union were an indefatigable, 
irrepressible set of fellows. No rebuffs or discouragements 
deterred them when they once made up their minds to accom¬ 
plish a certain object. On the 28th of February, 1789, “it is 
agreed by the Company that Joseph Simon and Adam Hub- 
ley be a Committee to call on the Members of the Sun Fire 
Company, and confer with them on the Propriety of certain 
Measures being taken for Carrying into Execution the Agree¬ 
ment of the Commissioners with the Concurrence of the 
Justices and Grand Jury to furnish an Engine for the Public 
Use with all possible expedition ” 

And, again, on the 28th of March, 1789, “Stephen Cham¬ 
bers, Adam Reigart and George Graeff, Esquires, are ap¬ 
pointed a Committee to wait on the Commissioners of Lan¬ 
caster County to confer with them, and carry into execution, 
the procuring of a Fire Engine and three dozen of Water 


20 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


Buckets recommended by the late Grand Jury, to be procured 
out of the County rates for the use of the County, for the pro¬ 
tection of the Public Buildings in the Borough of Lancaster.” 

THE ANSWER COMES AT LAST. 

Perseverance, especially in a good cause, as well as virtue, 
will have its reward. After “ patient waiting and vigils long,” 
the answer came in the shape of another engine for the pub¬ 
lic use. On the 27th of February, 1790, “Adam Reigart. 
Thomas Turner and Henry Bennett are appointed a Commit¬ 
tee to meet such persons as the Sun Fire Company shall 
appoint to view the Fire Engine lately purchased by the Com¬ 
missioners of this County, and to report whether the same is 
made in a workmanlike manner, as to answer the purpose 
thereby intended according to the contract.” 

In a report of the Auditors of Lancaster county, in the pos¬ 
session of John A. Hiestand, Esq., giving the items of expend¬ 
itures from October 3, 1787, to March 17, 1792, there is a 
payment of ^120 to John Miller and others for a fire engine, 
and ^4.10 to Henry Pinkerton, for hauling the engine from 
Philadelphia. 

AFTER BORROWERS WITH A SHARP STICK. 

Even in those days there were borrowers, an abomination 
to all people who believe in and practice the golden rule of 
“ doing unto others as you would be done by.” At the same 
meeting, “the Company having considered that their Fire Lad¬ 
ders had been frequently borrowed by persons not belonging 
to the Company, and that they had sustained Considerable 
Damage thereby, it is agreed unanimously by the Members 
now present, that if any person not a member of this Com¬ 
pany, shall apply for any of the said Ladders that he shall pay 
One Shilling for the use of each Ladder per day. And if any 
damage should arise to the said Ladders, the said person to 
repair fully the said damage. Any portion of time less than 
a day shall be deemed as a day.” 



JOHN EBERMAN, 

SECRETARY AND TREASURER FROM 1 8 1 3 TO 1 8 1 8 . 













UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 2 I 

NEW ENGINE HOUSES WANTED. 

There was a sort of joint-stock proprietorship in the engine 
houses existing between the Union and Sun Companies, and 
they must have been uninhabitable structures, for on the 26th 
of March, 1791, “Messrs. Adam Reigart and John Hubley 
are appointed a Committee to wait on the Sun Fire Company, 
to know whether they will not concur in erecting New 
Houses for Fire Engines, and carry the same into execution.” 

INSTITUTION OF QUARTERLY FEASTS AND MERRY-MAKINGS. 

“ Landlord, fill the flowing bowl, 

Till it does run over— 

For to-night we’ll merry, merry be, 

And to-morrow we’ll be sober.” 

The founders of the Union were evidently inclined to be 
convivial, and, after their seasons of labor, delighted in being 
called off to refreshment. The first “feast of reason and flow 
of soul,” of which there is any record, was at the house of 
Mr. Matthias Slough, a member of the Union, and a noted 
hotel-keeper of that day. He had also been a member of the 
State Assembly in 1777. These banquets were kept up for a 
long series of years, and were the means of strongly cement¬ 
ing the members in their attachment to and friendship for 
each other. The notice of the first banquet (“ supper” they 
modestly called it) is so quaint that it has been extracted 
from the records. It reads as follows: 

“We the Subscribers, Members of the Union Fire Com¬ 
pany, in the Borough of Lancaster, do agree to Sup together 
once every Quarter of a Year, the first Supper to be at Mr. 
Slough’s at the next meeting, and the next to be the last 
Saturday in the month, three Months After, at the house of 
the next Innkeeper on the Fire Company List, and so on. 
The Club not to exceed five Shillings each, and whether ab¬ 
sent or present, we agree to be accountable, and, to pay that 
sum towards the expense of the same as long as we continue 
Members. 


22 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


“James Ross, John Hubley, Wm. Kirkpatrick, Wm. Moore, 
Wm. A. Atlee, (only to be charged when present, as he lives 
too far out of Town,) Michael App, Christopher Hager, Alex¬ 
ander Scott, Frederick Kuhn, Adam Reigart, Thomas Edwards, 
James Jacks, Michael Musser, Jacob Krug, George Musser, 
Jacob Graeff, Henry Bennett, Myer Solomon, John Graeff, 
Solomon Etting, Thomas Turner, Geo. Graeff, John Trissler, 
Adam Reigart, Jr., Mathias Slough, Jno. Jos. Henry, (if I am 
now elected,) Paul Zantzinger, George Ross. 

“Saturday, Febry 26th, 1791.” 

Mr. Henry was elected a member at this meeting, and 
doubtless took part in this as well as many of the subsequent 
feastings. There was no “chiel amang them to take notes,” 
and we are left considerably in the dark as to how the “boys” 
behaved themselves at these quarterly feasts and merry-mak¬ 
ings, and at what hour of the night thereafter they sought 
their “ downy beds of ease.” 

JOHN JOSEPH HENRY. 

As the name of John Joseph Henry figures conspicuously 
in the earlier records of the Company, it deserves more than 
a mere passing notice. An interesting sketch of his life 
appears in Harris’s Biographical History of Lancaster County. 
He was a son of Hon. William Henry, who was a member of 
the Congress of 1784, and was born in Lancaster, November 
4, 1758. The elder Henry was a noted citizen of Pennsyl¬ 
vania both before and after the Revolution, and also a member 
of the Union. It was in his house that Thomas Paine wrote 
No. 5 of his celebrated series, “The Crisis.” John Joseph 
was apprenticed to a gunsmith, and subsequently went to 
Detroit, Michigan, then in the far-off Western wilds. Return¬ 
ing to Lancaster, in his seventeenth year, he clandestinely 
joined a regiment, raised in Lancaster county, to join Arnold 
in his famous but disastrous campaign against Quebec in 
1775. He endured hardships which appear almost incredible, 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


23 


and while in prison, where he was confined for nine months, 
contracted a loathsome disease, the scurvy, which incapaci¬ 
tated him from labor or study for several years. He was 
offered a captaincy both in Pennsylvania and Virginia regi¬ 
ments during the Revolutionary War, but his sickness com¬ 
pelled him to decline the positions. Regaining his health, he 
entered the office of John Hubley, then Prothonotary of Lan¬ 
caster county, and subsequently read law with Stephen Cham¬ 
bers, a well-known attorney of the Lancaster Bar, and a mem¬ 
ber of the Union. Pie was admitted to practice in 1785, and 
was appointed President Judge of the Second (Lancaster) 
Judicial District by Governor Mifflin in 1793. This position 
he filled with distinguished ability for seventeen years. He 
died in Lancaster on the 15th of April, 1811. Judge Henry 
wrote an exceedingly graphic history of the campaign against 
Quebec, which is yet to be found in the libraries of some of 
our older citizens. He often compared that campaign as in 
many respects equal to the celebrated retreat of the ten thou¬ 
sand Greeks, and said of it that it would require the talents of 
a Xenophon to do it real justice. The Judge frequently 
served as Secretary of the Union during his membership in 
the Company. He wrote a beautiful hand, and his records 
are carefully, concisely, and intelligently compiled. 

THE BANQUETS IN AFTER YEARS. 

About fifty years ago, yearly banquets were instituted in¬ 
stead of the “ quarterly suppers,” and were kept up for a num¬ 
ber of years. They were given at the old Leopard Hotel, in 
East King street, the proprietors of which were the late Jacob 
Duchman, and subsequently his son, the late Col. John H. 
Duchman, a soldier of the war of 1812, and of the late re¬ 
bellion, and who had been an active member of the Union for 
a third of a century. At one time he commanded the Lan¬ 
caster Fencibles, which had a famous reputation for drill, dis¬ 
cipline, and soldierly appearance throughout Pennsylvania 


24 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


and the adjoining States. During the late war he was Lieu¬ 
tenant Colonel of the 79th Regiment, P. V., and served until 
failing health compelled him to leave the army. He was, in 
the real sense of the term, a martinet when on duty. The 
expression of his countenance was stern and unyielding, but 
no man possessed a warmer, more tender, or sympathetic 
heart. Somewhat more than a decade ago, the “ drum of 
Heaven beat the recall ” for the old hero, and he is quietly 
awaiting the time when his soul and body will again commin¬ 
gle at the sound of the reveille in the early morning of the 
Resurrection. 

These banquets were attended by such men as President 
Buchanan, Adam Reigart, John Reynolds, Joseph Ogilby 
(Cashier of the Branch Bank of Pennsylvania), John Eber- 
man, William C. Frazer, George H. Krug, Henry R. Reed, 
George H. Whitaker, William Coleman, John R. Montgom¬ 
ery (the most eloquent lawyer of his day in Pennsylvania, 
and whose forensic efforts are still spoken of with delight by 
those of the few living to-day, who listened to them), Ge¬ 
rardus Clarkson (Cashier of the Farmers’ Bank), John Mathiot 
(Mayor of Lancaster), John H. Duchman, Emanuel Trissler, 
John Baer, Peter G. Eberman, Michael McGrann (a famous 
auctioneer and wit), Thomas Jefferies, William Ihling, Hugh 
Maxwell (a noted editor, and inventor of the first printer’s 
roller), George W. Barton (the prince of political orators, and 
subsequently a Judge of the Quarter Sessions Court of Philadel¬ 
phia), Reah Frazer (the “War-horse of Democracy”), Charles 
Kline (for years a prominent merchant of Lancaster), Jacob 
Bear, Jacob Frey (prominent in many business enterprises), 
John Ehler, Robert Moderwell (a well-known forwarding mer¬ 
chant), Newton Lightner, Joshua W. Jack, John F. Shroeder, 
Christian Widmyer, John Brown, William B. Fordney, Dr. 
Henry Carpenter, John W. Forney, Henry Hegener, Henry 
E. Leman (the noted rifle manufacturer), Thomas E. Frank- 
lin, Henry S. Magraw, and James B. Lane. There were 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


25 


others, whose names cannot be recalled, who were frequently 
present at these entertainments, which were superbly got up, 
and interspersed with sallies of wit, snatches of song, and 
happy sentiment, indicating how well these men were at 
home in impromptu efforts and after-dinner speeches. 

IMPORTANT MEASURES-RESERVOIRS, NIGHT WATCH, AND 

LIGHTING OF THE STREETS PROPOSED-ACTION 

OF THE LEGISLATURE. 

We are a progressive people, and have far outstripped our 
ancestors in the race toward prosperity and affluence. But it 
is doubtful if we are wiser or more far-seeing than our fathers 
after all. They projected and builded, not for their own time 
alone, but with an eye to the future. It will be news to most 
people of the Lancaster of to-day that in the quiet meetings 
of the Union Fire Company, nearly ninety years ago, the 
question of reservoirs, night watch, and the lighting of the 
streets was considered. It was also taken up and discussed 
by the members of the Sun Fire Company, and the result 
was a conference of the members of both organizations. The 
record of this conference is of sufficient importance to be 
given entire in this connection. It was held at the Court 
House, on the 17th of December, 1791, and was presided 
over by Hon. Jasper Yeates. Following are the proceedings: 

“ It was proposed that two Persons should be appointed out 
of the Union Fire Company, and two Persons out of the Sun 
Fire Company, to superintend and direct the alteration of the 
Engine Houses, in such a manner as fully and conveniently to 
hold the different Engines, with their Pipes ready Screwed 
on, and the same was carried in the affirmative. Where¬ 
upon, Messrs. Adam Reigart, Andrew Geiss, Paul Zantzinger 
and Godliep Nauman were duly chosen for that purpose. 

“ It was further agreed that the Persons so chosen shall 
provide and fix Drag Ropes to the Engines, and also ropes to 
the Fire Hooks of proper length, and shall provide six keys 


26 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


to the locks of the Engine Houses to be deposited severaliy in 
the Houses of Mathias Slough, Frederick Steinman, Paul 
Zantzinger, Christopher Mayer, John Joseph Henry and 
Jacob Rupp. 

“John Hubley, George Ross, George Musser and Adam 
-Reigart, Sr., of the Union Fire Company, and John Miller, 
Jacob Lahn, Adam Weaver and John Bausman, of the Sun 
Fire Company, are appointed to carry about Subscription 
Papers amongst the Inhabitants of this Borough, for the pur¬ 
pose of collecting Monies to accomplish the foregoing works, 
and also to furnish New Ladders and Fire Hooks, if they 
shall find the same necessary. And they are also requested 
to recommend to each of the Inhabitants, as have not joined 
any Fire Company, forthwith to erect themselves into one or 
more Companies. 

“ It is unanimously agreed that on no pretense whatever 
shall the Fire Ladders or Hooks be used, except in the cases 
of fire. 

“ It it also agreed that two Sluices be fixed at proper places 
on the Prison Run, and one Sluice on Vine Street Run, in 
order to collect the water in case of the calamity of a fire; 
and that a bill of the expenses attending this work be sub¬ 
mitted to the Commissioners of the County as a proper public 
charge to be paid by the County at large. 

“ It is agreed that for the future both Fire Companies will 
meet on the third Saturday of each month. 

“ It being suggested that a Nightly Watch and Lighting 
the Streets of the Borough would be attended with much 
public advantage, it is agreed that Jasper Yeates, Mathias 
Slough, Joseph Simon and George Ross, of the Union Fire 
Company, and Frederick Steinman, Frederick Frick, Jacob 
Lahn and Christopher Mayer, of the Sun Fire Company, be a 
Committee to wait on the Corporation, praying them to use 
their efforts to have a law passed for that purpose by petitions 
to the Legislature.” 




UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


27 


ACTION OF THE LEGISLATURE IN THE MATTER. 

The Legislature took action upon the matter the same 
winter, and passed an act in accordance with the prayer of the 
petitioners. In 3 Dallas, Laws of Pennsylvania, page 222, 
will be found the following: 

“An Act for establishing a nightly watch, providing lamps, and sup¬ 
porting pumps, for public use, in the Borough of Lancaster, in the 
County of Lancaster. 

“Whereas, It has been represented that great advantage 
and benefit would arise to the inhabitants of the borough of 
Lancaster, in the county of Lancaster, if they were enabled by 
law to raise a public tax on themselves, and to make proper 
regulations in respect to lighting and watching their streets, 
and supporting a suitable number of pumps within the. said 
borough.” 

The first ten sections divide the borough into wards—the 
North-West, North-East, South-West, and South-East—indi¬ 
cate how the tax is to be levied and collected, and make pro¬ 
visions for the appointment of assessors and wardens to pro¬ 
perly carry the law into effect. 

“Section ii. That the said Corporation shall have full 
power, and they are hereby required to fix, support and main¬ 
tain, from time to time, out of the monies levied and collected 
by virtue of this act, such suitable number of pumps, in such 
convenient public places in the streets and public alleys in the 
said borough, and to erect and maintain dams and sluices, in 
such parts of the borough as to them shall appear necessary, 
the said pumps to be fixed and disposed of in as regular order 
as the crossings and intersections of the several highways, 
streets or alleys will admit of, and in as beneficial manner, for 
the general and equal use and interest of the whole borough, 
as can be; and the said Corporation are hereby further em¬ 
powered, when they shall think proper, to agree with the 
owner or owners for all or any of such pump or pumps as are 


28 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


already fixed in the streets or alleys within the said borough, 
which pump or pumps, after such agreement made with the 
owner or owners thereof, shall forever after become the pro¬ 
perty of and belong to the said Corporation, to be maintained 
and kept in repair at the public charge; and the said Corpo¬ 
ration are further empowered, and are hereby enjoined, to 
enquire into the condition and take care of the repair of the 
several pumps within the streets or public alleys of the said 
borough ; and if, after due enquiry, it shall appear to them, on 
the evidence of two or more witnesses, that any of the said 
pumps have been out of repair for the space of three months 
next after notice thereof given by one of the burgesses to the 
owner or owners of the said pumps, then, and in such case, 
every such pump or pumps shall forever become and be the 
property of the Corporation, to be maintained at the public 
charge; and if any person or persons shall and do, after the 
publication of this act, willfully and maliciously break or carry 
away the handles of any of the pumps within the said 
borough, or otherwise injure or damage the same, every per¬ 
son, so offending, and being thereof convicted in any court of 
quarter sessions in and for the county of Lancaster, shall forfeit 
and pay to the treasurer, for the uses of this act, the sum of 
five pounds, to be forthwith levied, by warrant directed to the 
high constable of the said borough, on the goods and Chattels 
of such offender, or, in case of a deficiency thereof, by impris¬ 
onment, until payment be made, or the offender be otherwise 
discharged by due course of law. 

“Section 12. That the said Corporation shall have power, 
and are hereby directed, as soon as can be, to erect, put up 
and fit such number of lamps, in such parts and places in the 
highways, streets and public alleys in the said borough, as to 
them shall be meet and expedient, and to contract with any 
person or persons for the lighting, trimming, supplying, main¬ 
taining, and preserving the same; and likewise to employ 
such number of watchmen, at such reasonable wages, and for 



JAMES BUCHANAN, 


FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 







UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


29 


such length of time, as shall be found expedient, and in case 
of misbehavior, inability, or neglect, to discharge them, and 
appoint others in their stead; and the said Corporation shall 
have full power and authority to order and direct which 
warden shall watch or superintend the said watch each night, 
and to regulate and ascertain the hours and manner of keep¬ 
ing watch at the stands and number of rounds of the said 
watchmen throughout all the highways, streets and public 
alleys, in the said borough; and the said wardens and watch¬ 
men, respectively, shall use their best endeavors to prevent 
fires, murders, burglaries, robberies, and other outrages and 
disorders, within the said borough, and to that end are hereby 
empowered and required to arrest and apprehend all sus¬ 
picious persons, who shall be found wandering or misbehaving 
themselves, and shall take the person or persons, so appre¬ 
hended, as soon as conveniently may be, before the burgesses, 
or some justice of the peace of the county of Lancaster, to be 
examined and dealt with according to law; and the said 
wardens and watchmen shall observe, perform and execute all 
such matters and things, as by the rules, orders and regulations 
of the Corporation shall, from time to time, be made and en¬ 
joined them, touching all matters contained in this act; and in 
case of any fire breaking out, or other great necessity, shall 
immediately alarm each other, and the inhabitants in their re¬ 
spective bounds, which, when done, they shall repair to their 
respective stands, the better to discover any other fire that 
may happen, as well as to prevent any burglaries, robberies, 
outrages, and disorders, and to apprehend any suspicious per¬ 
son, who, in such times of confusion, maybe feloniously carry¬ 
ing away the goods and effects of others. 

“Section 13. That it shall be the duty of the warden of 
each ward, respectively, daily to examine all the lamps in his 
ward, and to take care that they shall be at all times in proper 
repair, and in case any injury shall be done to any of them, 
to give immediate notice thereof to the said Corporation; 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


30 

and if any person or persons shall and do, after the publica¬ 
tion of this act, willfully or maliciously break, throw down, 
or extinguish any lamp, that is or shall be hung up or set up 
to light the streets and alleys in the said borough, or shall 
willfully damage the post, iron, or furniture thereof, or any 
sentry box, any person, so offending, and being convicted 
thereof in any court of quarter sessions of the peace in the 
county of Lancaster, shall forfeit and pay the sum of five 
pounds for each lamp so broken, thrown down, extinguished, 
or otherwise damaged, or for each post, iron, or other furni¬ 
ture thereof, or sentry box so damaged or broken, to be 
recovered and applied as directed in the eleventh section of 
this act, and if any person or persons shall accidentally and 
undesignedly break, throw down, or extinguish any of such 
lamps, or injure any such posts, iron or other furniture, or 
sentry box, and shall fail to give notice thereof to the warden 
of the proper ward, and pay the damage thereby incurred, 
within twenty-four hours from the time of doing such injury, 
every such person, so neglecting, shall forfeit double the sum 
of money necessary in the judgment of the Corporation to 
repair the injury done.” 

This law was signed by William Bingham, as Speaker of 
the House of Representatives, by Samuel Powell, as Speaker 
of the Senate, and approved April 4, 1792, by Thomas Mifflin, 
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

The old-time watch boxes, and the crying of the hours of 
the night, were still in vogue and only abolished during the 
latter part of Mayor Sanderson’s administration. 

WHERE THE PUBLIC PUMPS WERE LOCATED. 

As nearly as can be ascertained these pumps were located 
as follows: Four in Centre Square; one near the Intelligencer 
office, in South Queen street; one in front of the Examiner 
and Express office, North Queen street; one near Michael’s 
Hotel, North Queen street; one in front of the old stage 



UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


31 


office, now Bursk’s grocery store, East King street; one at 
the corner of South Queen and Vine streets; one in front of 
the residence of Henry Hegener, South Queen street; one at 
the corner of Middle and South Queen streets; one in North 
Duke street, near the present Court House; one in front of 
the residence of John F. Long, East Orange street; one in front 
of the old stage barn, now Blickenderfer’s foundry, corner of 
North Duke and Chestnut streets; one in South Duke street, 
opposite to the present Trinity Lutheran Chapel; one in South 
Duke street, near the public schools; one at Lime and Vine 
streets; one in front of the Western Hotel, West Orange 
street; one in front of what is now Snyder’s saloon, North 
Queen street; one in front of Blickenderfer’s grocery store, 
North Queen street; one in front of the residence of John I. 
Hartman, North Queen street; one in front of the residence 
of David Evans, North Queen street; one in front of the resi¬ 
dence of George Pennock, North Queen street; one in front 
of the residence of John S. Rohrer, North Queen street; one 
in front of property belonging to Christian Zecher, North 
Queen street; one in front of property of Francis Bender, 
North Queen street, north of James; one in front of what 
was Conner’s distillery, now property of Frederick Goos, 
North Oueen street; one in front of residence of John Law- 
rence, North Queen street, near Frederick; one at the Old 
Jail corner, West King and Prince streets; one in front of 
what was McLenagan’s Hotel, now the residence of David G. 
Eshleman, East King street; one in front of the hotel of the 
late Bernard MacGonigle, East King street. 

ASSIGNING THE MEMBERS TO DUTY. 

At a subsequent meeting of tlie Company, also held on the 
17th of December, 1791, “ upon a full consideration of the im¬ 
portance of assigning to each member of the Company his 
particular station and office during the calamity of a lire, the 
following disposition is unanimously agreed on : 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


32 


“ Mathias Slough, Jacob Krug, George Ross, Jacob Graeff, 
are appointed to judge and determine in what direction the 
Engines shall be played. 

“Jasper Yeates, John Hubley, Frederick Kuhn, Michael 
Musser, Adam Reigart, Senr., James Ross, Adam Hubley, 
Thomas Edwards, Alexander Scott, William Kirkpatrick, 
Charles Smith, are appointed to form the Lines and Ranks, 
and examine where Supplies of Water are to be procured in 
the best and most expeditious manner, and exhort and en¬ 
courage the people to use their utmost effort in the general 
danger. 

“Joseph Simon, John Joseph Henry, Henry Dehuff, James 
Jacks, Henry Bennett, Valentine Krug, are appointed to 
superintend the removal of goods and prevent depredations 
thereon. 

“ George Musser, Paul Zantzinger, Adam Reigart, Jr., 
Thomas Turner, John Graeff, are appointed to assist in bring¬ 
ing the Engines to the fire, playing them, and returning the 
same to the Engine House. 

“ John Trissler, George Graeff, Christopher Hager, Chris¬ 
tian Stake, William Montgomery, are appointed to assist in 
bringing the Fire Ladders and Hooks, raising them at the fire, 
and returning the same to their places. 

“ William Moore, Michael App, are appointed to act on the 
Roofs as Ax Men. 

“ And it is further resolved, that the different Members do 
sustain their stations and offices, in the case of fires, without 
deviating therefrom, and this Company pledge themselves to 
give their support therein ; and direct that the above arrange¬ 
ment be published for the information of the Public in the 
Lancaster papers every three months.” 

COMMITTEES FROM THE ACTIVE AND FRIENDSHIP. 

At a meeting of the Company, held on the 18th of Feb¬ 
ruary, 1792, “a Committee of the Active Fire Company hav- 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


ing attended with a Copy of their Articles, and expressed 
their Desire to consult with this Company, and to operate 
with them in any Business tending to the Good of the Com¬ 
pany and the general safety of the Inhabitants of the Bor¬ 
ough. The Members of this Company cordially unite with 
them in Desires to keep up the most perfect good Under¬ 
standing with each other, and to co-operate with them at all 
Times in every Measure relative to the Interests of the Com¬ 
munity at large, and that Adam Reigart, Jr., William Mont¬ 
gomery and Charles Smith be a Committee to wait on them 
in Return with a Copy of this Resolution and the Rules or 
Articles of this Company.” 

A similar committee from the Friendship Fire Company 
also waited upon the Union at this meeting, and similar action 
was had. 


ANOTHER JOINT MEETING 

Of the Fire Companies of the Borough was held at the Court 
House, on Saturday, November 26, 1792, pursuant to special! 
agreement for that purpose. Hon. Jasper Yeates again pre¬ 
sided, and the following proceedings are recorded : 

“ It appearing to the meeting that the Fire Engine near- 
Gen. Edward Hand’s is much out of order, and that the box 
thereof will not contain water, it is agreed that the same be- 
forthwith fully sheathed with copper, and that Frederick 
Steinman be engaged to do the business. 

“ It is unanimously agreed that the two Fire Engines be¬ 
longing to this Borough be put under the care and direction- 
of Peter Getz, to be by him kept in good order, and that he 
be paid the sum of ^4.10 per annum for his services therein’. 

“ Mr. Paul Zantzinger reported that the Committee ap¬ 
pointed to erect the Engine Houses and repair the Engines 
out of the monies collected for that purpose from the Inhab¬ 
itants of this Borough, has applied the same to the said uses, 
as by the accounts and vouchers now. exhibited,.and the meet- 
3 


34 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


ing, taking the same into consideration, find that a balance of 
eleven shillings and six pence of the said money remains in 
his hands. 

“ Mr. Zantzinger further reported that they had deposited 
the four keys of the Engine House adjoining Mr. Jacob 
Bailey’s, as follows: One with Gen. Hand, the 2d with Mr. 
Jacob Bailey, the 3d with Mr. Michael App, and the 4th with 
Mr. Zantzinger. And those of the Engine House opposite 
the Moravian Church, as follows: One with Mr. George 
Musser, the 2d with Mr. Thomas Foster (in Philip Ream’s 
House), the 3d with Mr. Andrew Geiss, and the 4th with Mr. 
John Hambright. 

“ It is earnestly recommended to the different Fire Com¬ 
panies that they procure without delay such Fire Hooks and 
Ladders as they may deem necessary for the public benefit.” 

REPLACING LOST BUCKETS. 

Nothing worthy of note appears to have occurred during 
the next two years. On the 15th of February, 1794, “it 
being represented to the Company that five buckets belonmno- 
to members have been accidentally lost when brought out for 
public use, the Treasurer is directed to supply the loss by 
new buckets, to be paid out of the Company’s Stock, and to 
be delivered to the following persons, to wit: To Joseph 
Simons, one ; to Adam Reigart, one; to Jacob Graeff, two, 
and to Michael App, one.” 

PRECAUTION FOR THE SAFETY OF PERSONS IN CASES OF FIRE. 

On the 17th of January, 1795, “it is agreed that Adam 
Reigart, Senr., and John Hubley procure a large Basket ar.d 
Rope, for the purpose of taking down Persons from an upper 
Story of a House on Fire, and get a Ladder properly fixed 
for the use of such a Basket, and the said Gentlemen are also 
to procure proper Prongs for raising of Ladders and Fire 
Hooks to buildings on fire.” 



UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


35 


On the 18th of February, in the same year, “ it is now 
ordered and directed that Jacob Krug and Adam Reigart, Jur. 
do procure a Small Engine, such as in their discretion they 
shall think suitable for the extinguishing of fire in a house or 
back buildings.” 

On the 17th of December, 1796, “it having been the ob¬ 
ject of this Company for some time past to have a Ladder 
with Tackling, Basket or Box to convey persons from houses 
on fire down in safety, it is agreed that Mathias Slough be 
added to Adam Reigart and John Hubley, heretofore ap¬ 
pointed for that purpose, and that the said Ladders, etc., etc., 
be immediately procured at the expense of the Company.” 

A WATER CONDUCTOR. 

At the same meeting, “ agreeably to the request of the Act¬ 
ive Fire Company, Adam Reigart, Jur., and Jacob Krug were 
appointed on the part of this Company to consult with, and 
agree about the purchase of a Water Conductor for the use 
of the Fire Companys in this Town, and to fix on the person 
to make a purchase of the same.” 

UNCERTAIN WHICH TO ADOPT. 

On the 18th of March, 1797, “John Hubley, of the Com¬ 
mittee appointed for the purpose to procure a Ladder with 
Tackling and Basket to bring Persons from Houses on Fire 
down in safety, reported that he examined the Pole and Bas¬ 
ket in Philadelphia made for the same purpose, and found 
that it was made exactly agreeably to the model described in 
Atkins's Magazine; that as to the usefulness thereof, he could 
not be informed whether the Pole instead of a Ladder was the 
best; therefore, wished that the Company would decide on 
the propriety of giving a preference either to a Ladder or a 
Pole, before the Committee proceeded further.” 


36 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


ASSIGNMENTS OF MEMBERS TO DUTY, AND THEIR BADGES 

OF OFFICE. 

For the succeeding six years the Company pursued the 
even tenor of its way. Having safely launched its little bark, 
it seemed to be smooth sailing, not a ripple disturbing the 
monotony of the voyage. On the 19th of February, 1803, 
“ Mr. Mathias Slough having declined, on account of age, of 
being a member of this Company, he is excused accordingly.” 
At the same meeting, to increase the activity and efficiency of 
the membership, “ the following appointments and regulations 
of the Company are agreed on, to wit: 

“ Adam Reigart, Senr., William Kirkpatrick, Michael Mus- 
ser, Frederick Kuhn—To form ranks—the badge of their sta¬ 
tion to be a black staff, mounted on each end with a bright 
ferrule of tin. 

“Jacob Krug, John Hubley—To direct the placing and 
movement of the Engine—their badge a tin on their hats, 
with the words of Engine Directors or letters E. D. 

“ Christopher Hager, Conrad Swartz, Levy Philips, Alex¬ 
ander Scott—To guard movable goods—their badge a white 
staff mounted with bright tin. 

“Henry Reigart, George Slough—To bring and assist with 
axes, and work on the roofs or other necessary places—to 
wear leather caps with the word UNION. 

“Jacob Graeff, George Graeff, John Trissler, William Mont¬ 
gomery, John Reigart—To bring the Fire Hooks and Lad¬ 
ders, raising them at proper places, and returning them after 
the fire. 

“ George Musser, Paul Zantzinger, Adam Reigart, Jr., John 
Graeff, Thomas Turner, James Hopkins—To bring the Fire 
Engines, playing them, and returning them to their proper 
places after the fire. 

“The Axes, Staffs and Badges to be procured at the ex¬ 
pense of the Company.” 




JOHN EHLER, 

PRESIDENT FROM I 844 TO 1848. 









UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


37 


LOST ARTICLES BELONGING TO MEMBERS REPLACED. 

At this meeting, “John Hubley, representing that at the 
fire at Caleb Cope’s house one of his fire buckets was lost, 
and another so much injured that it cannot be mended ; and 
Paul Zantzinger, representing that he lost at the said fire his 
fire bag and basket : It is ordered that the said buckets, bag 
and basket be replaced, and that the Treasurer pay for the 
same.” 

AN INCIDENT OF MAJOR ANDRE. 

The Caleb Cope, mentioned above, was Chief Burgess of 
Lancaster just prior to the Revolution. He had five sons, 
John, William, Thomas P., Israel, and Casper, and two daugh¬ 
ters. There is an incident in connection with the Cope family 
and Major Andre worthy of note. Major Andre was cap¬ 
tured by General Montgomery, in Upper Canada, while on his 
way to Quebec, November 3, 1775, and brought, with other 
officers, to Lancaster, where he became an inmate of Mr. 
Cope’s family. Here the eldest brother, John, then 13 years 
of age, received lessons in drawing from Major Andre, and 
the three brothers, John, William and Thomas P., had, in after 
life, vivid recollections of their games of marbles and other 
juvenile sports with the lively young English officer, who was 
destined to figure so terribly in the subsequent history of this 
country. 

FIRST ELECTION OF OFFICERS—A NEW DEPARTURE. 

Nothing but the usual routine of business seems to have 
engaged the attention of the members for the next ten years, 
but on the 16th of January, 1813, there was “a new depart¬ 
ure.’’ The articles of the Company were revised, the number 
of members increased to fifty, and the first regular election of 
officers was held. Previous to that time, there were only 
temporary Presidents and Secretaries—that is, as has been 
mentioned before, the members were required to take their 
turns respectively in these positions, holding them for one 


38 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


month. The office of Treasurer was the only elective one. 
On this occasion, “ Adam Reigart, Senr., was appointed Treas¬ 
urer, Adam Reigart, Junr., President, and John Eberman, 
Clerk of the Company, for one year.” The names of these 
gentlemen figure prominently upon the earlier records of the 
Company, and are frequently mentioned in these pages. They 
each lived to a ripe old age, and in all the relations of life 
were honest, honorable, conscientious men, who enjoyed the 
respect of and were frequently honored by their fellow- 
citizens. 


THE ENGINE IN GOOD ORDER. 

No minute of the condition of the engine is made for 
several years, but on the 20th of February, 1813, Messrs. 
John Eberman, Jr., J. Philip Reigart, and Adam Trissler, who 
had been appointed to make an examination of it, reported 
“that they have examined the Engine belonging to the Com¬ 
pany, and find that it is now in as good order as the me¬ 
chanism thereof will admit, but to render it more complete and 
effectual in its operations, it will be necessary that the blocks 
on the Embolus , which are of wood, should be made of brass, 
according to the present mode of constructing Fire Engines.” 

DEATH OF ADAM REIGART, SR. 

Mr. Adam Reigart, Sr., who at the January meeting in 
this year had been appointed Treasurer, died during the fol¬ 
lowing summer, and on the 17th of July, 1813, Mr. William 
Kirkpatrick was chosen to fill the vacancy. Mr. Kirkpatrick 
declined to accept, and Mr. John Eberman was chosen—the 
offices of Secretary and Treasurer being united. 

THE FIREMEN OF I 8 1 4 . 

The assignments to duty of the members of the Union con¬ 
stitute an important feature in the history of the organization, 
showing who the firemen were, the nature of their duties, and 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


39 


the evident alacrity with which they were performed. There 
were no “drones in the hive,” but all worked, not only for the 
good name of the Company, but for the best interests of the 
borough. Beside the manner in which the members were as¬ 
signed, the character of work given them to do, and the sub¬ 
sequent eminence of many of the then active firemen, all com¬ 
bine to make the record noteworthy and interesting. The 
roll of 1814 of the Union Fire Company shows an array of 
names of which any organization, it matters not what, could 
well be proud. On the 16th of April of that year the follow¬ 
ing assignment and disposition of the members were made: 

“ Paul Zantzinger, John Hubley, Jacob Krug—To direct 
where the Engine shall be placed when brought to a fire. 

“James Hopkins, John Passmore—To look for the most 
convenient place to get water. 

“ Frederick Kuhn, Wm. Kirkpatrick, Adam Reigart, John 
Trissler—To form ranks, and endeavor to keep them entire, 
so that the Engine may be well supplied with water whilst it 
can be had at the place from where it is taken. 

“ Robert Coleman, Andrew Graeff, William Montgomery, 
Charles Smith—To see that the movable goods be carried to 
some safe place, and that they be well guarded. 

“Jasper Yeates, Walter Franklin, William Barton—To 
watch and see if any adjacent buildings should take fire through 
the flakes of those burning (or from any other cause), and to 
give immediate alarm to the Engine Directors. 

“ Henry Reigart, James Houston, Samuel Humes, Jr., Abm. 
Carpenter, James Espy, Henry Shippen, Wm. B. Ross, Benja¬ 
min Ober, Michael Graeff, John Neff, George H. Krug, John 
Rupley—To take the Engine to the fire, work it, and see it 
taken back to the house. 

“John Eberman, John Reynolds—To stand on the Engine, 
and direct the water against the fire. 

“ Philip Albright, Daniel Reigart, Daniel Carpenter, John 
Bachman—To carry the fire hooks and use them, and return 
them to their proper places. 


40 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


“ John Landis, Joseph Hubley—To take the small ladders to 
the fire, and return them to their proper places. 

“Adam R. Trissler, John Mylin—To work on the roofs 
and other necessary places with axes. 

“Joseph Ogilby, Jr., John Myer, James Buchanan, Thomas 
R. Jordan, Henry M. Reigart, William C. Frazer—To carry 
the large ladder to the fire, and return it to its proper place." 

Imagine the stately, courtly, dignified President Buchanan, 
with his immaculate linen, high shirt collar, and huge white 
necktie, carrying “the large ladder to the fire, and returning it 
to its proper placeor the quiet, genial Henry M. Reigart, or 
that old-time gentleman merchant, John Myer, engaged in the 
same laudable occupation ; or those noted physicians, Samuel 
Humes and Abraham Carpenter, “taking the engine to the 
fire, working it, and taking it back to the house;" or the 
portly, handsome, affable John Reynolds, or plain, gentle¬ 
manly John Eberman, “ standing on the engine, and directing 
the water against the fire;" or that eminent lawyer, James 
Hopkins, and his colleague, John Passmore, the first Mayor 
of Lancaster (a man of immense proportions, weighing about 
450 pounds), “ looking for the most convenient place to get 
water;" or that shrewd business man, Robert Coleman, and 
eminent Judge, Charles Smith, “seeing that the movable 
goods were carried to some safe place, and that they be well 
guarded;" or those learned jurists, Jasper Yeates and Walter 
Franklin, watching to “ see if any adjacent buildings should 
take fire through the flakes of those burning (or from any other 
cause), and give immediate alarm to the Engine Directors;" 
or the princely Adam Reigart helping “to form ranks, and en¬ 
deavoring to keep them entire," etc. It may appear somewhat 
amusing at this day to read the names of the men and the 
duties assigned them, but they were required to and did perform 
them. And those, mark you, were the days of shingle roofs. 
Verily, the post of fireman then was one of hard work as well 
as danger. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


41 


REPAIRING THE PUBLIC PUMPS. 

Then an interval of five years occurs without anything of 
special note. On the 17th of April, 1819, it was “ resolved 
that Joseph Ogilby, Hugh Maxwell and Wm. B. Ross be a 
committee for the purpose of waiting on the other companies 
in this city, recommending to them also to appoint com¬ 
mittees to call on the City Councils to prevail on them to 
repair the Pumps in the streets, and sink a cistern near the 
Court House and furnish certain numbers of buckets.” 

And on the 19th of June, of the same year, it was “resolved 
that Messrs. Adam Reigart, John Myer and Joseph Ogilby be 
a committee to call on the other Fire Companies to co-operate 
with them in petitioning the Grand Jury of the Mayor’s Court 
to have the Pumps examined and repaired throughout the 
city, and at the expense of the city.” 

PROPOSED RESERVOIR NEAR THE COURT HOUSE SQUARE. 

Every now and then, the reservoir question in some shape 
or other engaged the attention of the Union members. On 
the 19th of June, 1819, a committee—Messrs. Adam Reigart, 
John Myer and Joseph Ogilby—was appointed “ to call on the 
other Fire Companies to co-operate with them in petitioning 
the Court and Grand Jury to have a reservoir built near the 
Court House Square.” It will be remembered that the second 
court house stood in the middle of Centre Square, upon the 
same spot where stands the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. 
It was begun, after the destruction by fire of the first building 
in 1784, and finished in 1787, and was a splendid specimen of 
old-time architecture. While Lancaster was the Capital of 
the State, it was used as the Capitol building—the House of 
Representatives meeting on the lower or court-room floor, and 
the Senate in the upper chamber or grand-jury room. It was 
torn down in 1853. 

THE firemen’s DUTIES IN 1820. 

On the 20th of May, 1820, “the Committee appointed at the 


42 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


last meeting to assign each member a suitable station in case 
of fire, made the following report, viz.: 

“ Robert Coleman, John Myer, John Bachman—To direct 
where the Engine shall be placed when brought to a fire and 
during the continuance thereof. 

‘‘Ben. Ober, Jos. Ogilby, Sam’l Dufresne, Geo. Beckel—To 
look for the most convenient place to get water. 

“Adam Reigart, Win. Kirkpatrick, Hugh Maxwell, John 
Passmore—To form ranks and endeavor to keep them entire, 
so that the Engine may be well supplied with water whilst it 
can be had at the place from whence it is taken. 

“ Henry Reigart, Jasper Y. Smith, John Mathiot, Wm. C. 
Frazer—fo see that the movable goods be carried to some 
safe place, and that they be well guarded. 

“ Walter Franklin, Wm. Montgomery, Edward Coleman, 
Wm. B. Ross—To watch and see if any adjacent buildings 
should take fire through the flakes of those burning, or from 
any other cause, and to give immediate alarm to the Engine 
Directors. 

“Samuel Humes, Jr., Michael Graeff, James Buchanan, 
George H. Krug, William White, John Huss, George Reis- 
nger, Gerardus Clarkson, Henry Brenner, Aug. J. Kuhn, 
Jasper Slaymaker, Joshua Scott, Joseph Hubley, William 
Spurrier, John Rupley, George H. Whitaker—To take the 
Engine to the fire, work it, and see it taken back to the engine 
house. 

“Jno. Eberman, John Reynolds—To stand on the Engine, 
and direct the water against the fire. 

“Chr. Burk, John Bear, Peter Hawman, Jacob Kauffman— 
To carry the fire hooks, use them, and return them to their 
proper places. 

“John Elder, Jacob Brenner, Henry Y. Slaymaker—To take 
the small ladders to the fire, and return them to their proper 
places. 

“John Neff, F. D. Hubley, Em’l Trissler, Dan’l Reigart, P. 




UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


43 


W. Reigart—To carry the long ladder to the fire, and return 
it to its proper place. 

“Archibald D Warren, Jacob Rathfon—To be axe men.” 

At this meeting, it was resolved “that every member be 
furnished at the subsequent meeting with Buckets, Bag and 
Basket, as required by the first section of the articles of the 
Company.” 

PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF WATER INTO THE CITY. 

In every one of the city’s enterprises, the Union appears to 
have taken a leading part. It was never abreast, but always 
ahead, of the times. It has been already stated that the Union 
inaugurated the movement of reservoirs, night watch, and 
lighting the streets as early as 1791; and now in the introduc¬ 
tion of water from one of the neighboring streams, it was pro¬ 
posed on the 19th of January, 1822, fifteen years before it 
actually was accomplished. On that occasion, Messrs. Adam 
Reigart, John Reynolds, and Samuel Dufresne, were ap¬ 
pointed a committee to confer with the other fire companies of 
the city in reference to petitioning Councils to adopt suitable 
measures to ascertain the best mode of introducing water into 
the city from one of the neighboring streams. 



A NEW ENGINE. 


The borough had become a city in 1818, and from that time 
was progressing rather rapidly in population and enterprise. 
The old engine had served its day and generation, and was 






















44 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


no longer quite the thing. It was thought necessary to get a 
machine of more modern design, one more in accord with the 
ideas and notions of the members, who were no longer dis¬ 
posed to carry buckets, bags, baskets, and ladders, as they and 
their predecessors had been patiently doing for many long 
years. Therefore, on the 19th of April, 1823, Messrs. Daniel 
Reigart, George H. Krug, A. D. Warren, John Carroll, John 
Mathiot, John Bachman, William White, and John Eber- 
man, were appointed to collect subscriptions for a new engine. 
On the 21 st of June following, “Messrs. Adam Reigart, John 
Eberman and John Myer were appointed a committee to pur¬ 
chase an engine, the cost of which not to be less than $600 
nor more than $800,” and the same committee was subse¬ 
quently empowered to sell the old engine. 

The new engine was built by John Agnew, a then noted 
engine builder of Philadelphia, and in those early days there 
were few towns of any note in the country that were not sup¬ 
plied with the Agnew fire engine. It was a gallery engine, 
with levers and foot-boards, and it was no child’s play to work 
it, as those people living to-day who were firemen then can 
well attest. 


THE ARTICLES AGAIN REVISED. 

On the 16th of October, 1824, the articles were again 
revised, at a meeting held at S. C. Slaymaker’s Hotel (the 
famous old Stage Hotel), recently the property of the late 
Hon. Benjamin Champneys, on East King street. 

LENDING A HELPING HAND. 

The Union was always disposed to lend a helping hand to 
every new fire company. On the 20th of January, 1826, one 
large ladder, two small ladders, two fire hooks, and two axes 
were loaned to the “ Lancaster Axe, Hook and Ladder Com¬ 
pany,” which had just been organized. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


45 


THE MEMBERS TO WEAR LEATHER BADGES. 

At the same meeting it was resolved that the members wear 
leather badges with the word “ Union” painted on them. The 
following document, signed by the members, appears attached 
to the records : 

“ Lancaster, September 16th, 1826, Received from the 
Union Fire Company of Lancaster, one Leather Badge, with 
the word Union painted thereon, which I promise to return to 
the Company in case I should hereafter cease to be a member 
thereof; or, if lost, to pay Thirty one Cents, being the cost 
thereof, to the Treasurer of said Company, unless excused 
therefrom : 

“ Thomas Jefferies, Jacob Rathfon, P. McGrath, W. B. Ross, 
Mich’l Graeff, John Rupley, Hugh Dougherty, Christ. Rine, 
John Leonard, Benj. Ober, John Brown, George Leonard, 
John Bear, George W. Jacobs, Sam’l C. Slaymaker, Christian 
Burg, Henry Hibshman, Mich’l McGrann, E. C. W. Dawson, 
John Bachman, Jos. Ogilby, Jacob Bear, P. Wager Reigart, 
John F\ Remly, Jr., Chr. Demuth, Jno. H. Duchman, Henry 
Brenner, Jno. Eberman, P. K. Breneman, J. Frey, Senr., Wm. 
Ihling, Jasper Slaymaker, John Mathiot, Ro. Moderwell, 
Peter Bachman, Dan’l Reigart, John Bachman, Junr., John 
Ehler, Math’w McKelly, F. D. Hubley.” 

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF FIREMEN. 

And at the same meeting, Messrs. John Eberman, William 
B. Ross, and John Leonard were appointed a committee to 
meet with similar committees from the other companies, “ to 
form a system of rules and regulations for the government of 
the different Fire Companies.” Whether any such rules and 
regulations were adopted, the records do not state. 

WHAT AN OLD-FASHIONED SNOW-STORM DID. 

At a meeting on the 22d of January, 1831, that careful, 
conscientious gentleman, Mr. Henry R. Reed, the Secretary, 


46 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


whose records are models of neatness, legibility, and correct¬ 
ness, was forced for the first time to make an apology. He 
“stated that owing to the deep snow which fell on Saturday 
last, being the regular night of meeting, he had deferred 
giving notice until this meeting, and therefore was liable to 
a fine of $ 2 .” That Mr. Reed would not spare himself, is evi¬ 
dent from the fact that this record is in his own handwriting. 
Very properly his fine was remitted, although he did not ask 
to be excused from paying it. 

ADORNMENTS FOR THE ENGINE. 

On the 15U1 of February, 1834, two handsome engine 
lamps were presented by Mr. George Louis Mayer, for which 
the thanks of the Company were tendered. 

SENTIMENT IN HONOR OF THE VIGILANT, OF PHILADELPHIA. 

The Vigilant Fire Company celebrated its seventy-seventh 
anniversary on the 2d of January, 1837, and as that company 
and the Union were fast friends, a committee of the latter, 
Messrs. W. F. Bryan, Henry E. Leman, and John Ehler, was 
appointed, who prepared and transmitted the following senti¬ 
ment, as the expression of the Union: 

“Our Brethren of Philadelphia: Vigilant , laborious and 
fearless. May their vigilance ever enable them to be foremost 
when honor and duty call—their labors secure for them and 
their fellow-citizens exemption from the ravages of the de¬ 
vouring element—their courage and fearlessness the admira¬ 
tion of the world—from the ladies smiles and the heart of 
beauty. None but the brave deserve the fair/’ 

f 

THE FIRST HOSE CARRIAGE. 

The following minute occurs in the proceedings of a meet¬ 
ing held at the hotel of Col. John H. Duchman, on the 14th 
of January, 1837: 

“ The Committee to receive subscriptions for hose, &c,, re- 





HENRY R. REED, 

SECRETARY AND TREASURER FROM 1823 TO 1841, 








UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


47 


ported that the amount subscribed in the several wards was 
$526.34, of which $466.84 had been collected and paid over to 
the Company, and $58.50 remained uncollected. 

“ Mr. John Ehler reported that, agreeably to his instruc¬ 
tions, he had proceeded to Philadelphia; that he had pur¬ 
chased the Good Intent hose carriage and bells for $260; that 
he had engaged 600 feet of hose, with the necessary screws, a 
trumpet, pipe, a spanner and two half spanners, the whole of 
which would cost $523, and would be ready for delivery in 
February next.” 

GENEROSITY OF WILLIAM COLEMAN. 

Mr. Ehler “ also stated that before leaving home for Phila¬ 
delphia, William Coleman, Esquire, had generously agreed to 
give $350 for the purchase of the Hose Carriage to present to 
the Company. 

“ When, on motion, Messrs. C. F. Hoffmeier, John Ehler 
and P. K. Breneman were appointed a committee to return 
the thanks of this Company to William Coleman, Esquire, for 
the Hose Carriage presented by him. 

“The thanks of the Company were returned to Mr. Ehler 
for the services rendered by him in procuring hose, etc., and 
the Treasurer was directed to pay all his expenses.” 

REPAIRING THE HOSE CARRIAGE. 

Messrs. John Brown, John Ehler, John H. Duchman, Thos. 
E. Franklin, and George M. Steinman were appointed a com¬ 
mittee to have the hose carriage repaired and put in good 
order. They attended to the duty assigned them promptly, 
faithfully, and to the entire satisfaction of the Company. The 
carriage was painted green with gold stripes, and the side 
badges were large brass dolphins with scales highly burnished, 
heavy closed hub bands, and the frontispiece (which is still 
retained among the relics of the Company) was a superb 
representation of Neptune sporting with nymphs and dol- 


4 § 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


phins, painted by Eicholtz. This carriage was housed free of 
expense in the carriage-house attached to the residence of ex- 
President Buchanan, on East King street (now Hoar & Mc- 
Nabb’s dry good store), until the new building, ordered in 
1837, was finished. 

ANOTHER HOSE CARRIAGE. 

The old carriage was in service until 1851. On the 8th of 
March, of that year, it was decided to build a new hose car¬ 
riage, and a contract was entered into with Messrs. Cox & 

Suvdam to construct it. It was finished and housed on the 

* 

following 4th of July, the Company parading on the occasion, 
Newton Lightner, Esq, acting as Chief Marshal. In 1865, 
this carriage was sold to the Union Fire Company of Hamburg, 
Berks county, and has since been sold to a fire company and 
is now doing service in the Black Hills, Dakotah Territory. 

RESIGNATION OF JOHN EBERMAN. 

On the 14th of January, 1837, the following communica¬ 
tion was handed to the President, and directed to be read : 

“ Lancaster, Jan’y 14th, 1837. 

“ To the Members of the Union Fire Company: 

“ Gentlemen : Arrived at that stage of life when bodily 
strength and activity begin to fail, and having devoted nearly 
thirty years of my life in common with my fellow-members of 
the Union Fire Company to the object of its formation, I now 
beg leave to withdraw from the active service, and desire to be 
placed on the list of Honorary Members. 

“ In taking this leave I shall cherish a fond hope that the 
junior members will be stimulated by an emulation not to 
suffer the Union to be disgraced. 

“ I remain respectfully, 

“ Your fellow member, 

“John Eberman.” 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


49 


The Company were loth to accept Mr. Eberman’s resigna¬ 
tion, and resolved that his “ name be placed on the list of 
Honorary Members, and that Mr. Emanuel Trissler call on 
Mr. Eberman, and return the thanks of the Company for the 
many services rendered by him during his membership.” His 
records as Secretary of the Company are so legibly and ele¬ 
gantly kept that they almost vie with the engraver’s art. Mr. 
Eberman, who was cashier of the old Farmers’ Bank of Lan¬ 
caster, has long since passed from the scenes of earth, but his 
memory is still revered by his fellow-citizens and the members, 
of the Union. 

THE GREAT EVENT OF 1 837 —INTRODUCTION OF THE 

CITY WATER. 

We have arrived at one of the most important epochs in the- 
history of the young city—the introduction of water from one 
of the neighboring streams. It will be remembered that this- 
measure had been proposed at a meeting of the Company om 
the 19th of January, 1822. At last it becomes an established 
fact. Who had better right to jubilate than the members of 
the Union? First in this, as in everything else, which tended 
to the benefit of the city. There appeared in the Lancaster 
Examiner and Herald , of February 23, 1837, then published 
by Messrs. Hamersly & Richards, the following graphic ac¬ 
count of this interesting event: 

“ The imposing spectacle of introducing the water of the- 
Conestoga into the city of Lancaster, was performed on yes¬ 
terday—the memorable twenty-second of February—the an¬ 
niversary of the natal day of the ‘ Saviour of his country,’ the 
good and great Washington—with signal eclat, and to the 
delight and gratification of the many thousands who ha:d as¬ 
sembled to behold the joyous spectacle. The day dawned 
cloudless and serene, and a mild pure air, reminding one more 
of the zephyrs of May than of the blasts of February, 
breathed its balmy inspiration. At an early hour, according 
4 


50 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


to the notices previously published, the citizens congregated 
in the Court House square, to marshal themselves into the 
proper order of procession. Not only the inhabitants of the 
city, but many hundreds of our country friends attended—all 
of them alive to the importance and novelty of the occasion. 
After a brief delay, the ranks were formed as follows: 1st, 
Military; 2d, the Mayor and Recorder; 3d, Aldermen ; 4th, 
Select Council; 5th, Common Council; 6th, Engineers and 
Machinists ; 7th, Watering Committee; 8th, Superintendents 
and Workmen ; 9th, Fire Companies; 10th, Citizens of the 
Country; 1 ith, Citizens of the City. Marshals of the day— 
John F. Steinman, C. Hager, David Longenecker, John Zim¬ 
merman ; Assistant Marshals—John F. Long and William B. 
Fordney. 

“ The ranks having been properly formed, the line of march 
was taken up, and the procession soon reached the reservoir 
at the head of East King street, where the arrival of the 
‘stranger element’was anxiously expected. The delay was 
brief. About half-past ten the water made its first appearance, 
slowly entering from the pipes into the basin, amid the thun¬ 
dering of artillery, and the general ringing of the city bells. 
The floor of the basin was soon covered, and the water grad¬ 
ually rose, promising soon to fill the reservoir, a consumma¬ 
tion greeted with huzzas from thousands of voices, that made 
the welkin ring, having their origin in the happy conviction 
that yet a very little while and the approach of the devouring 
flame, whose former threatenings were wont to shake the 
stoutest hearts, might be almost defied. 

“After remaining a sufficient length of time, to be con¬ 
vinced of the entire success attendant upon this creditable and 
difficult enterprise, the citizens left the reservoir, in the order 
in which they had marched from the Court House, and 
returned to their respective homes. 

“It is not possible for the citizens of Lancaster to congratu¬ 
late themselves too deeply upon the happy result of which 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


51 


they were yesterday the witnesses, and of whose benefits they 
are ever after to be the happy recipients. Their property may 
now be considered as secure as aught can be from the ravages 
of conflagration; and the introduction, through the streets of 
Lancaster, and for the accommodation of every family that 
desires to partake of a never-failing supply, must have an en¬ 
during influence upon the prosperity of the city. 

“ Too much praise cannot be given to those who have been 
instrumental in bringing about this glorious consummation. 
The Mayor and City Councils have exerted themselves, from 
first to last, with unremitting zeal, and they may now reap 
their reward in the loud and heartfelt thanks of their fellow ~ 
citizens. Many, very many, looked upon the whole project as 
chimerical, whose skepticism has become merged in amaze¬ 
ment at the difficulties which have been overcome, and con¬ 
viction of the great advantages which are to follow. Hun¬ 
dreds could not be brought to believe in the practicability of 
emptying the water of the Conestoga into a reservoir at more 
than a mile distance, and on an elevation above the water 
level of nearly two hundred feet. But it has been accom¬ 
plished, happily and speedily accomplished, in defiance of the 
rigors and inclemencies of a severe winter, and after the labor 
of about seven months. There is now, and can be, but one 
feeling on the subject, and the able and skillful engineer, Mr. 
Frederick Erdmann, of Philadelphia, who pointed out the plan 
to be pursued, and conducted it to so fortunate a completion, 
will be held in grateful remembrance by the people of the city 
of Lancaster.” 

Probably to Col. William B. Fordney more than any other 
gentleman are the citizens of Lancaster indebted for the com¬ 
pletion of the water-works. Councils had authorized a loan 
at six per cent, to be made, but, after advertising for a consid¬ 
erable while, it could not be obtained at home. Finally, Col. 
Fordney negotiated for the sum of $30,000 from the late 
Nicholas Biddle, then President of the United States Bank. 


52 


HISTORICAL SKETCH THE OF 


This loan was obtained at a less rate of interest, five per cent, 
and ran for thirty years. 

THE FIRST PARADE OF THE LANCASTER FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The first parade of the Fire Department of Lancaster, as a 
department, at least of which there is any record that can 
be found, took place on Easter Monday, March 27, 1837, the 
occasion being a demonstration in honor of the introduction 
of water into the city on the 22d of February preceding. The 
Union took a prominent part in the affair. The engine and 
hose carriage were richly ornamented, the latter with a mag¬ 
nificent painting by Eicholtz. The members were attired in 
green hats and capes. The banner, presented by Miss Henri¬ 
etta Reigart (afterward Mrs. Emanuel C. Reigart), was carried 
in the ranks, and generally admired. Its motto—“ Union of 
purpose always insures effect”—happily expressed the name 
of the Company and the sentiment of its members. Mr. John 
Ehler acted as Marshal of the Company in this parade. 

GETTING INTO NEW QUARTERS. 

On the 28th of June, 1837, it was “ resolved to have a new 
building erected on Mr. Reichenbach’s lot, back of the Market 
House, so as to admit of the Engine and Hose Carriage being 
put in abreast.” This building was finished and occupied on 
the 14th of October of the same year. It was used until the 
spring of 1854, when it was removed to make room for the 
present market houses. 

WHEN INCORPORATED. 

The Company was incorporated by the Legislature of Penn¬ 
sylvania in the spring of 1837, and the act of incorporation 
was signed by Governor Ritner on the 14th of August of that 
year, having been previously examined and certified to “ that 
the objects, articles and conditions therein set forth and con¬ 
tained are lawful” by James Todd, Attorney-General, and 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


53 


John B. Gibson, Chief Justice, Molton C. Rogers, John Ken¬ 
nedy and Thomas Sergeant, Associate Justices of the Supreme 
Court of Pennsylvania. 

a firemen’s association. 

On the 24th of January, 1838, the Union and the other com¬ 
panies formed a “Firemen’s Association of the City of Lan- 
caster.” What its objects were, or how long it continued in 
existence, are not recorded. 

THE GREAT PARADE OF 1 838. 

Thursday, May 3, 1838, was fixed upon as the day for 
the parade of the Fire Department, which far eclipsed any¬ 
thing of the kind which had previously taken place in Lan¬ 
caster. Even to this day those of our citizens who have a 
recollection of the affair, speak of it as the finest demonstra¬ 
tion, in point of beauty and expense, that was ever made * 
before or since in this city. Of course, in respect to numbers, 
it was far excelled by the monster parade of October, 1867. 
The several fire companies of the city had been preparing for 
it for months, and thousands of dollars were expended in the 
embellishment of the engines and hose carriages, purchasing 
new equipments, and in the making of banners, flags, etc. 
The papers of that day are filled with glowing descriptions of 
the parade. The Committee of Arrangements of the Union 
were Messrs. John H. Duchman, Charles Nauman, John 
Brown, Henry E. Leman, Henry S. Magraw, Charles 
Boughter, Michael Erisman, and John Elder. The Chief 
Marshal was the late Hon. John Mathiot, then Mayor of Lan¬ 
caster, and his Aids were the late Major Charles Nauman and 
Hon. John K. Findlay, now a resident of Philadelphia. The 
companies taking part were the Union, Friendship, Washing¬ 
ton, American, and Sun. 

The account of the Union’s part in the parade is taken from 
the Lancaster Intelligencer of May 8, 1838, and was written by 


54 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


Col. John W. Forney, now editor of Progress , then a mere 
tyro in editorial life, but who has since achieved a lasting 
fame as a writer and speaker, and whose reputation as a jour¬ 
nalist is known and appreciated not only in America but in 
Europe as well. The Colonel was a member of the Union, 
and naturally took pleasure in giving his fellow-firemen a 
good “send-off” on this occasion. The first extract is a notice 
of a banner, which is as follows: 

“Anterior to the parade, the Union Fire Engine and Hose 
Company marched to the house of Mr. Adam Reigart, in East 
King street, where a splendid banner, painted by Mr. Jacob 
Eicholtz, and presented by a lady of Mr. Reigart’s family to 
the Company, was received by John L. Thompson, Esq., with 
an address, of which the following is the substance, taken 
down from recollection: 

‘“Lady: —In behalf of the Union Engine and Hose Com¬ 
pany I tender you their most sincere acknowledgments. 
These banners, rich and gorgeous as they may be, woven, 
as it were, by your own hand, and decorated with all the 
purity and chasteness of a lady’s taste—these banners, mag¬ 
nificent as they may be, we know are but faint expressions 
of the deep solicitude you have ever manifested in our wel¬ 
fare and prosperity. The public good, the preservation of 
the public from the devastation of its most relentless enemy 
—the protection of your habitations and yourselves in the 
dead hour of midnight—public security, safety and repose—- 
are the objects which have nerved and animated us—the mo¬ 
tives which have influenced us in the institution of this Com¬ 
pany. These objects could not have been nobler, more 
elevated, or patriotic; but they are rendered doubly cap¬ 
tivating when they are interwoven with these beautiful offer¬ 
ings—the approbation and the gladsome smiles of the Ladies. 
Can you then for a moment suppose that anything will relax 
our efforts or lessen our animation in pressing forward to the 
goal of the public safety? Nothing—for my Company and 
myself, I repeat, nothing. 




NEWTON LIGHTNER, 

PRESIDENT FROM 1848 TO 1855. 


4 












UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


55 


Then, Lady, again I thank you. Long will we preserve 
these banners, and when, in after years, ‘the freshness of 
thought and feeling are gone,’ we will still cherish them as 
proud mementoes of your kindness, your liberality, your pub¬ 
lic spirit, and your pure and chaste handiwork.’ 

“ This banner is a splendid piece of art. It was painted by 
Mr. Jacob Eicholtz. Three females, hand in hand, are ob¬ 
served in the foreground—one bearing a flambeau, and the 
rest with faces wreathed in smiles. They are intended to 
illustrate Union. The motto, In U)don there is Strength , 
Security , and Safety. Messrs. Foltz and Shroeder bore these 
banners alternately, having two Turkish tassel-bearers.” 

The lady referred to as having presented the banner was the 
late Mrs. Henry S. Magraw, then Miss Emily Hopkins. Mr. 
Thompson, who received the banner, was subsequently Dis¬ 
trict Attorney of this county. He had a graceful person, and 
was an eloquent and finished speaker. The current of his life, 
however, was changed by a terrible event which occurred on 
the 28th of July, 1852. He and his wife and three of their 
children, in company with a large number of others, were pas¬ 
sengers on the steamboat Henry Clay, which was coming 
down the North River, from Albany to New York. Another 
boat, the Armenia, was also coming down, and the two en¬ 
gaged in a race. The Henry Clay took fire from the intense 
heat of the boiler, and horrible scenes of suffering and death 
ensued. Sixty-eight lives were lost, among the number those 
of Mrs. Thompson and two of her children. She and her 
children were buried at Princeton, New Jersey, and the funeral 
was attended by a number of Lancaster’s prominent citizens. 
Mr. Thompson never resumed the practice of the law, but 
entered the clerical profession, and became a minister of the 
Presbyterian Church. He died shortly afterward in the very 
prime of his manhood. Had his life been spared, he would 
unquestionably have made his mark as a clergyman, on 
account of his winning manner and captivating style. 


56 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


THE UNION’S PART IN THE PARADE. 

The appearance of the Union members in the parade was a 
theme for general congratulation. Col. Forney noticed them 
in the following complimentary manner: 

“ The Union is an old Company, and was established in the 
year 1760. The enterprise of its members has already been 
evidenced in the very neat Engine and Hose House, erected in 
the rear of the Market House, and fronting Centre Square. 
The arrangements which were made for the parade partook of 
great taste, and betrayed a laudable spirit. The members 
were dressed in white pantaloons, green hats and capes, each 
having inscribed upon it the word Union in gilt letters. They 
made a handsome appearance, and numbered in all ninety- 
eight men. Immediately preceding the splendid banner (of 
which a full description has been given) came twenty members 
of the Engine Company, axe-men, torch bearers, etc., and 
about an equal number behind. Then came the engine, drawn 
by eight prancing grays, and led by four grooms attired in 
green frock coats, white pantaloons, and having each a gilded 
belt around the waist. Our friend, Wm. C. Hull, drove the 
horses, and displayed his skill as an ‘ old stager' in the ease 
with which he managed them. The engine was decorated 
with a degree of taste which could only have been conceived 
by the fair ladies, to which it owed so much of its chaste and 
elegant appearance. Wreaths of evergreens and flowers 
were hung in graceful festoons from front to rear, and imme¬ 
diately over the top arose a slight but graceful bower, sup¬ 
ported by four slender gilt columns, and worthy, in every 
way, of its beautiful inmates—two 

“‘Pretty dimpled boys, little smiling Cupids.’ 

They were habited in vestments adapted to their happy voca¬ 
tion of playing little pieces of juvenile gallantry to the ladies, 
and of winning the smiles of others, in return for their own 
shadowy laughter. They sat upon a splendid crimson velvet 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


57 


cushion, and contributed in a great degree to the intense in¬ 
terest of the occasion. In the rear of the engine followed a 
portion of the members. Immediately succeeding these came 
the hose carriage, the brazen dolphins, mythological frontis¬ 
piece, and costliness of construction of which secured universal 
praise last year. On Thursday, however, it combined, with all 
these, a striking addition. The fair ladies, whose conception 
won general approbation in the arrangement of the engine, 
were not less successful in their embellishment of the carriage. 
The laurel and the rose commingled in pretty confusion, and 
gave a charm to the whole that mere description cannot 
heighten. Amid this bower of undying verdure rested a 
Warrior, with all the luxurious and unstudied ease of a son of 
the forest—his eye vacant, his face passionless, and his soul 
seemingly absorbed in the curling volumes that he whiffed 
forth from his well-relished pipe. The members of the Union 
Hose Company followed, and after them came the banner 
presented by Miss Henrietta Reigart last year, bearing the 
proud motto —Unity of purpose secures effect. Two beardless 
junior Turks, dressed in white turbans and trowsers, bore the 
tassels. Marshal—Mr. John Ehler.” 

A ball was given in the evening, at Mr. Cooper’s saloon, the 
Red Lion Hotel, West King street, at present kept by Mr. 
Abraham Hiestand. The Intelligencer says it “ was, beyond 
all description, a splendid affair. The banners of the different 
Fire Companies which decorated the walls gave a chaste 
character to the festivities. The music was delightful, the 
company agreeable, and the evening satisfactorily spent by 
all.” 

RESIGNATION OF MR. HENRY R. REED. 

For the next five years little that is noteworthy appears 
upon the records, with the exception of the resignation of Mr. 
Henry R. Reed, as Secretary and Treasurer, on the 9th of 
January, 1841, having filled the position with great accepta¬ 
bility from the 20th of December, 1823, a period of nearly 


53 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


nineteen years. The Company did not want to accept his 
resignation, but Mr. Reed thought that he was entitled to a 
rest, and his fellow-members reluctantly gave their assent to 
this view of the matter. In all its long years of existence, no 
member ever more uninterruptedly enjoyed the respect and 
esteem of his brother firemen and fellow-citizens. At the time 
of his death, on the ioth of January, 1858, Mr. Reed was 
cashier of the Farmers’ Bank of Lancaster. Honest, consci¬ 
entious, and straightforward in his intercourse and dealings 
with his fellow men, Mr. Reed was a model bank officer, 
citizen, and fireman. 

VISIT OF THE LAFAYETTE HOSE COMPANY OF BALTIMORE, MD. 

On the 4th of July, 1843, the then little city was on the tip¬ 
toe of excitement, the occasion being the visit of the La¬ 
fayette Hose Company, of Baltimore, Md. They were the 
guests of the Union, and received many marks of attention 
from that organization as well as the citizens generally. They 
went home delighted with their visit, and subsequently pre¬ 
sented the Union with a set of equipments and a solid silver 
fire trumpet, as “a mark of their highest respect.” Those of 
the firemen and citizens who still recollect the visit of the 
Lafayette, speak of the company as composed of men of 
splendid physique, and were highly complimented for their 
gentlemanly behavior and fine appearance. 

THE UNION MEMBERS IN 1844. 

A roll of the members of the Company in 1844, printed on 
satin, 17 by 20 inches, has been presented by Mr. William H. 
Shober. Two of these satin rolls were printed, one having 
been presented to the Lafayette Hose Company, of Balti¬ 
more, Md. The printing was neatly, even elegantly, done at 
the Lancaster Intelligencer office, then owned and conducted 
by Col. John W. Forney. A perusal of this roll shows that 
the Reaper Death has been busy garnering his sheaves. A 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


59 


little more than a third of a century, and of the then one 
hundred and twenty-four members but twenty-eight are alive 
to-day. Following is the list: 

President—Adam Reigart; istVice President—John Ehler; 
2d Vice President—Peter Bier, M. D.; Messenger—Conrad 
Anne. 

Engineer—John H. Duchman. 

Engine Directors—John Elder, John Brown, Jacob Foltz, 
Jacob L. Hoffmeier, Michael Erisman. 

Hose Directors—Reuben S. Rohrer, Henry Miller, Henry 
Carpenter, M. D., Alexander H. Carpenter, M. D., William 
Brown, Conrad Silvius, Ellis J. Hamersly, Conrad Anne. 

Axe Men—Joshua W. Jack, Michael McGrann, Bernard 
Haag. 

Ladder Committee—Emanuel Trissler, G. Taylor Lane. 
Engine Committee—Daniel Erisman, Bernard Broom, Peter 
Bier, M. D., Andrew Bear, Peter G. Eberman, James Bu¬ 
chanan, Jacob Rathfon, John Bear, Samuel E. Gundaker, P. 

K. Breneman, Gerardus Clarkson, Robert D. Carson, Benja¬ 
min Champneys, Samuel Dorwart, Jacob Frey, Henry R. 
Reed, William Gable, Daniel Harman, James B. Lane, Robert 
Moderwell, John R. Montgomery, Christian Gast, Lewis Hur- 
ford, John Brown, Jacob Christ, Samuel Humes, M. D., Peter 
Long, Philip Leonard, John Gemperling, Thomas E. Franklin, 
Charles Nauman, Jacob Foltz, Michael Walker, John Yost, 
Clarkson Freeman, Jr., Henry Wilhelm, John P. Kieffer, Jacob 
F. Kautz, Jacob Hess, Michael Erisman. 

Hose Committee—John P. Myer, Horace Hopkins, George 

L. Doersh, Newton Lightner, John W. Hubley, Michael O. 
Kline, Henry Hegener, Junius B. Kaufman, Jacob Graeff, 
John K. Neff (afterward of Carlisle), Zuriel Swope, Daniel 
R. Ehler, John H. Brown, J. Aug. Elder, M. D., John Smith, 
Christian Shertz, William Nauman, A. N. Breneman, Edward 
Kautz, Aaron Eshleman, J. S Carpenter, M. D., J. B. Gumph, 
Thomas Whitehill, Augustus Rogers, William M. Sample, A. 
Yeagley, George Wilhelm, J. Hathaway, Michael Zahm, Rich- 


6o 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


ard Leech, William Lewis, L. T. Heiner, William G. Chandler, 
William Keller, Wm, G. Baker, Henry Kuhns, Jacob Huber, 
Amos Slay maker, James P. Andrews, M. D., John M. Dunlap, 
M. D., Conrad Silvius, Dennis Kelley, George Dellet, Davis 
Kitch, Christian Hershey, Samuel E. Slaymaker, Jacob F. 
Krug, John Somers, Lewis Haldy, H. F. W. Feddersen, 
Henry Sheaff, Conrad Anne. 

Honorary Members—John Eberman, Adam Metzger, Thos. 
Jefferies, John Myer, John Leonard, Jacob Fisher, George H. 
Krug, Elijah McLenagan, Henry Garrecht. 

INTERESTING LETTER FROM COL. FORNEY. 

A letter of inquiry to Col. Forney as to several matters con¬ 
nected with the printing of the above roll, brought the fol¬ 
lowing interesting reply: 

“Philadelphia, February 13, 1879. 

“ My Dear Mr. Sanderson :—I remember the old Union 
Fire Company well, and the satin roll of membership, and my 
deep interest in it as the printer, thirty-five years ago, when 
we were all working for Polk and Clay, or the opposing Dem¬ 
ocratic and Whig sides. I think I was always a better printer 
than a politician, and I am quite sure I took a good deal more 
trouble with the old Union Roll than I did with the Demo¬ 
cratic county ticket that year. 

“ How well I recollect Adam Reigart, his handsome face, 
straight, erect form, and his cue, his nutty old Madeira, at 
$1.00 a bottle, and frisky Geo. Whitaker, his Union clerk, and 
the jolly fellows, Harry Rogers, George W. Barton, William 
B. Fordney, Thomas F. Potter, etc., who would drop in upon 
the ‘favorite son of Pennsylvania,’ who lived on the same side 
of the street, on the corner of the alley, just above Adam 
Reigart’s Wine Store. Mr. Buchanan, though fond of a glass 
of good old rye himself, kept these young roysterers in awe— 
all but Fordney, who lives still to prove that he was never 
afraid to show his sense of the good things of this world, and 
his honest independence of character. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. 1. 6 1 

“Yes! I was at Capt. Duchman’s hotel at the suppers to 
which you refer, given by the old Union Fire Engine Com¬ 
pany, and I can smell the terrapin and roasted oysters, over¬ 
running forty years of time. 

“The members of the Union deserve great credit for their 
efforts in keeping alive these old memories. 

“Truly yours, 

“J. W. Forney.” 

DEATH OF MR. ADAM REIGART, THE FIRST PRESIDENT. 

Mr. Adam Reigart, who was the first elected President of 
the Company, holding the position by unanimous annual elec¬ 
tions from January, 1813, to May, 1844, died on the 1st of 
May, in the latter year. He had been a member from Febru¬ 
ary, 1791, a period of fifty-three years, and was the son of Adam 
Reigart, Sr., who for a quarter of a century was Treasurer of 
the Company. He lived to a patriarchal age, and his death was 
sincerely mourned and lamented not only by his large circle 
of relatives and friends, but by his fellow-citizens generally. 
He was the founder of the famous “ Old Reigart Wine Store,” 
which was established in 1785, and for over fifty years was one 
of Lancaster’s most active, prominent, and influential business 
men. Upon the occasion of his death, a special meeting of 
the Company was held on Saturday evening, May 4, which 
was presided over by the late Dr. Peter Bier, then second Vice- 
President, and the following preamble and resolutions, offered 
by the late Mr. John Brown, were unanimously adopted: 

“Whereas, The members of the Union Fire Engine and 
Hose Company have heard with deep regret of the death of 
Adam Reigart, Esq., their late fellow-member, and for many 
years their worthy and highly-respected President; therefore, 
be it 

“ Resolved , That out of respect to the memory of the de¬ 
ceased, we attend his funeral to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon, 
at 4 o’clock, from his late residence, in East King street. 


62 


HISTORICAL SKETCH. 


“ Resolved , That a copy of the above preamble and resolutions 
be forwarded to the family of the deceased.” 

HIS SUCCESSORS. 

Mr. Henry R. Reed was elected Mr. Reigart’s successor on 
the 8th of June, 1844, but declined the position, and Mr. John 
Ehler was then chosen. He served until January 8, 1848, 
when Newton Lightner, Esq., was elected. His successor was 
Mr. Charles W. Cooper, who was ejected on the 4th of Jan¬ 
uary, 1855, Mr. Lightner declining a re-election. Mr. Cooper 
only served for one year, and on the 4th of January, 1856, 
Capt. Henry E. Slaymaker was chosen, and is still the Pres¬ 
ident. 


NO FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE UNION. 

On the 10th of April, 1852, the first steps were taken 
toward the organization of a Fire Department for the city of 
Lancaster, but the Union, on the 8th of May following, 
declined to enter the department. Ever since it has adhered 
to this resolution, for the reason that it has never received its 
proper status in such an organization. 

A SEAL ADOPTED. 

A seal was adopted at a meeting, held on the 23d of 
March, 1855, which was attached to the coupon bonds issued 
by the Company. These bonds were readily taken, and how 
valuable they were, may be inferred from the fact that, subse¬ 
quently, they could not be bought at a premium. 

THE PRESENT ENGINE HOUSE. 

On the 14th of July, 1854, it was agreed to purchase a lot 
of ground, at the corner of Market and what is now called 
Grant street, from the late Mr. Frederick Cooper, for which 
the sum of $1,000 was paid. Upon this lot the present en¬ 
gine house was begun, finished, and occupied the same year. 



















































































































6 4 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


SERMON TO THE UNION. 

On the ioth of December, 1855, “a very able and appro¬ 
priate sermon ” was delivered before the Company by Rev. 
Alfred Nevin, D. D., now of Philadelphia, then pastor of the 
Second Presbyterian Church of Lancaster. The building was 
originally the old Mechanics’ Institute, and is now Schaum’s 
furniture manufactory, in South Queen street. The Com¬ 
pany were so well pleased with the discourse that a committee 
was appointed to have it published. 

THE BUTTON SUCTION ENGINE. 

On the 6th of February, 1857, it having previously become 
known that the Union was going to take another advance, 
and get a suction engine, several communications from engine 
builders were presented and read. On motion of Col. Thomas 
Thurlow, it was resolved that a suction engine be purchased, 
the cost not to exceed $1,300, and that the contract be 
awarded to Mr. L. Button, of Waterford, New York. On the 
1st of May following, a committee was appointed to solicit 
subscriptions for the new engine, and on June 5th, it was stated 
that the old engine had been sold to the Humane Hose Com¬ 
pany for the sum of $310. 

RECEPTION OF THE NEW ENGINE. 

On the 8th of September, 1857, members of the Com¬ 
pany, accompanied by the Fencibles’ Band, went to Phila¬ 
delphia to receive their new engine. They stopped at Mil¬ 
ler’s Chestnut Street House, the proprietor of which was Mr. 
Samuel Miller, a native and former resident of Lancaster, and 
whose hotel was a favorite stopping place for Lancasterians 
when visiting Philadelphia. Mr. Miller was a born Boni¬ 
face, and his hotel, being then and for years previously in the 
business heart of the city, was much resorted to by leading 
politicians, business men, and play actors. Mr. Miller is dead, 
the old hotel is gone, but the recollections of the genial host 





GEORGE K. REED, 

SECRETARY AND TREASURER FROM 1852 TO 1862. 








UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 65 

and his pleasant abode will not easily be blotted from the 
memory of those who knew and were familiar with both. 

The Union was received and handsomely entertained by the 
Diligent Fire Company, who gave them a banquet at their en¬ 
gine house. A speech of welcome was made by Mr. Andrew 
J. Baker, President of the Diligent, which was responded to by 
Edward Reilly, Esq. The next evening the Union compli¬ 
mented Col. Forney with a serenade at his residence, in 
Washington Square. The Colonel invited the members into 
his house, and subsequently Mr. John B. Markley proposed the 
health of “ Col. John W. Forney, a native and former resident 
of Lancaster, and an old member of the Union.” The Colonel 
responded in one of his happiest speeches, in which were re¬ 
called many pleasant reminiscences of his residence in Lan¬ 
caster and connection with the Union. Capt. Slaymaker briefly 
replied, and the evening at Col. Forney’s is among the most 
delightful recollections of this visit. 

On their return home, there was a parade of the Fire De¬ 
partment in their honor, the American taking charge of and 
hauling the new engine through the streets. Next day the 
engine was tried in the presence of the builder, and threw a 
stream of water over two hundred feet. Upon the accom¬ 
plishment of this feat, some enthusiastic genius had printed on. 
a green card the following doggerel, which hung for a long 
time upon the brakes of the engine: 

Two hundred feet— 

Can’t be beat. 

EXHIBITED ON THE FAIR GROUNDS. 

The Union boys were proud of their new engine and the 
manner in which it performed its work. In the month of 
October, 1857, there was an agricultural fair (one of the few 
that this great agricultural county has ever held) on the 
grounds fronting on College Avenue, north of Franklin and 
Marshall College. The new Union engine was placed on ex- 

5 


66 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


hibition, and divided the honors with Fawkes’s Steam Plow. 
Messrs. John Copland, Thomas Thurlow, and Jacob Forney 
were the committee in charge of the engine. 

VISIT OF THE HOPE STEAM FIRE COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA. 

In the latter part of September, 1859, Hope Steam Fire 
Engine Company, of Philadelphia, stopped at Lancaster, on 
their return from Chicago. They gave a trial of their engine 
in Centre Square, and, as it was the first steam fire engine 
which had been seen in this city, its appearance and working 
excited great interest both among firemen and citizens. It 
was a crude affair, a liliput in comparison with the leviathans 
of the present day, but it worked well and satisfactorily. This 
put the Union members in the notion of having a steamer, 
and from that time forward they kept this idea in view until 
the end was accomplished. The Hope members were the 
guests of the Union, and had a royal reception and banquet. 

PROJECTION OF THE COMPANY’S CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. 

At a meeting on the 3d of February, i860, the arrange¬ 
ments were initiated for a proper celebration of the Company’s 
centennial anniversary on the 14th of August following. On 
the 6th of April, new equipments were adopted and ordered 
—hat, belt, and shirt of the New York style. 

THE QUESTION OF SENIORITY AGAIN. 

The question of seniority between the Union, Sun, and 
Friendship was again raised in the month-of July, i860. The 
Union was ably represented on the occasion by several of its 
•officers, with Gen. James L. Reynolds, for years an active 
member of the Company, and now on the Honorary List, and 
the late Capt. B. F. Baer, as counsel. They, however, had no 
authority from the Company for so doing. The question was 
heard before a board of three arbitrators, who were selected 
from the Philadelphia Fire Department, and Col. Samuel H. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 67 

Price, then President of the American Fire Company, presided. 
A decision was given in favor of the Sun. 

The claim of the Union to seniority on this occasion is even 
established by the remarks of Hon. William A. Atlee, counsel 
or the Sun. Quoting from the Daily Express, of August 7, 
i860, that gentleman is reported as saying that 

“ He labored, at the start, under the disadvantage of the loss 
of their records since 1796, and he must therefore supply that 
loss by the evidence furnished by the other minutes. He re¬ 
ferred to the fact that both the articles of association of the 
Sun and Friendship were copies, and not the originals; and 
that both copies claim the organization of each company on 
the same date—December 10, 1763. He referred to a minute 
of a meeting of the Sun, held in 1811, when an old member 
resigned, stating that he had been a member for thirty-five 
years, bringing the organization back to 1776. In September, 
1764, the existence of the Sun is recognized by the minutes of 
the PTiendship, and he went on to read from the minutes of 
the Union, to show that at various meetings of that Company, 
held in 1775-80-82-84-88-89-90-91, the Sun was recognized 
as in active service, while no mention is made of the Friend¬ 
ship, which disbanded in 1768. In 1791, the Union minutes 
record the proceedings of a convention of Firemen, in which 
the list of members of the Union and Sun stand side by side 
—the members of the former being nearly identical with those 
given in the Sun’s copy of their articles of association, which 
claim the date of organization in 1760. 

“ From these facts; Mr. Atlee contended that the Sun should 
have priority at least of the Friendship. In the election of 
new members, a quorum must be present, and the Friendship 
had failed to show that such was the case at the re-organiza¬ 
tion. He also referred to the fact of a new title page being 
made in the Friendship’s minute-book—an unusual thing in 
the mere continuation of a company’s minutes—that this title 
claimed merely the renewal of the Company’s transactions— 


68 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


and that the Company could not have disbanded on account 
of the Revolution, as Barton, Hand, Ross, and others were in 
Lancaster until 1775, while the Company’s minutes ceased in 
1768. The members of the Union and Sun were subject to 
the same cause of interruption, and yet their records are con¬ 
tinuous. As well might a new company, to-day, adopt the 
name of the old ‘Active,’ referred to in the minutes, as for the 
Friendship of to-day to claim to be the Friendship of 1763.” 

Before the decision of the arbitrators was rendered, Mayor 
Atlee called upon Capt. Slaymaker, and congratulated him 
upon the fact that the Union had undoubtedly established its 
claim to seniority, and also thanking him for the use of the 
Union records, without which, he said, the Sun would have 
been unable to establish its status in the present contest. 

THE UNION’S ACTION IN THE MATTER. 

The Union repudiated the action of its self-constituted com¬ 
mittee, in attending the meetings of the board of arbitration, 
and refused to acquiesce in the result. At a subsequent meet¬ 
ing, President Slaymaker took the floor, and spoke strongly 
against what had been done, stating that the Board’s decision 
“was unjust, unrighteous, and illegal, and he believed it had 
been bought.” The following resolutions, offered by Col. 
Thurlow, were adopted : 

“ Whereas, Some members and officers of the Company 
submitted to the committee from Philadelphia, appointed to 
examine and determine the seniority of rank contested by the 
Union, Sun, and Friendship Fire Companies, of the City of 
Lancaster, for many years past; 

“And Whereas, Said committee, after hearing and exam¬ 
ining the books and testimony of the said companies, gave the 
Sun Company rank as No. 1, the Union as No. 2, and the 
Friendship as No. 3; therefore be it 

“ Resolved , That the Union Fire Engine and Hose Co., No. 
I, of the City of Lancaster, do not abide by the decision of 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


69 


the committee appointed to examine and determine the con¬ 
test of seniority of the Union, Sun, and Friendship Fire Com¬ 
panies, on the following grounds, viz : 

“ 1st. That the committee appointed by the Union Fire Co., 
No. 1, to the Firemen’s Triennial Parade Convention, and the 
contest for seniority had been before said Convention and 
said committee on contest met, and were discharged by a 
unanimous vote of the Company; and 

“ 2d. That some members and officers of the Company, 
after the discharge of the said committee, submitted the 
books, papers, and other testimony of the Company to the 
Committee on Contest, on their own responsibility, and 
against the consent of the Company; and, furthermore, be it 

“ Resolved , That the Company pass a vote of censure upon 
the officers and members who acted in the above matter 
against the known wishes of the Company.” 

THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. 

The great event in the history of the Union was its centen¬ 
nial anniversary on the 14th of August, i860. Two days 
were occupied in the festivities, and memorable days they 
were and ever will be. There never was a more enjoyable 
occasion in the history of any fire company, or, in fact, any 
other organization, in this city. The Daily Express (which 
was then the only daily paper in Lancaster) contained a full 
account of the parade, ball, and banquet, and this sketch has 
been copied in extenso, because of its interesting and graphic 
nature. The first article is taken from that paper of August 
15, i860, and describes 

THE PARADE AND BALL. 

“ The parade of the Union Fire Company, yesterday after¬ 
noon, on the occasion of the Centennial Anniversary of the 
organization, proved a most brilliant affair, and was alike grat¬ 
ifying to the citizens of Lancaster and the members of the 
Company. Preparations for the event had been under way for 


70 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


a long time previous, the Company having determined that it 
should be such a display as to have no cause for regret after¬ 
ward. Without exception, it was the most successful and 
commendable firemen’s turn-out which we have witnessed in 
this city for many years'. * 

“ In connection with the Union, delegations from the Sun, 
American, and Shiffler companies, in citizens’ dress, took part 
in the parade. The visitors who were expected from abroad, 
failed to reach here, and their absence was the cause of much 
regret by the members of the Union, who had made every 
preparation to entertain them in a most hospitable manner. 
The ground upon which their absence is accounted for, was 
attributed to the inclement state of the weather yesterday 
morning and the day previous. But a more pleasant afternoon 
for the parade could not have been hit upon. The air was 
cool and bracing, and the recent rain had effectually laid the 
dust. 

“ During the morning the Company ran up a large Ameri¬ 
can flag in front of their house, and stretched an arch of ever¬ 
greens across Market street, the centre of which was made to 
represent the letter U. 

“At i o’clock, the Company left their house, under the chief 
marshalship of Mr. O. C. M. Caines, assisted by Mr. Robert 
L. Eicholtz, and proceeded to East King street, where the 
line was formed, the right resting on Duke. 

“The engine was drawn by four large and beautiful gray 
horses, which were driven by Mr. William H. Shober, who 
held the ribbons with much grace. Each horse was attended 
by a colored groom. The members who preceded the engine 
wore a bluish-gray shirt, black pantaloons, supported at the 
thigh by a leather belt, with gloves, and a new and beautiful 
hat, known as the New York hat. On the front of the hat 
was the figure ‘ i,’ and immediately over the figure the word 
* Union,’ and beneath the figure the date ‘1760.’ The 
equipped members numbered thirty-five, and were without ex- 







CHARLES W. COOPER, 

PRESIDENT FROM 1 855 TO 1 856. 




























, 


. 













































UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


/I 

ception the finest looking - body of firemen we have ever seen. 
The engine was profusely decorated with wreaths and flowers 
and a number of small flags. And that the lady friends of 
the Company had something to do with the decorations, was 
clearly apparent from the taste displayed in the arrangement. 

“ The hose carriage, which followed the engine, was drawn 
by two beautiful black horses, each attended by a colored 
groom. The carriage was also beautifully adorned with 
wreaths and flowers, and carried the beautiful satin banner 
belonging to the Company, which was used in the great 
parade of 1838. 

“When the Company reached East King st., they were re¬ 
ceived by their brother firemen, and halted in front of Shenk’s 
Exchange Hotel, where they faced about in order to receive a 
flag presented them by a number of ladies of this city. The 
presentation ceremonies took place from the iron portico in 
front of the hotel. On behalf of the ladies, Aldus J. Neff, 
Esq., presented the flag in an eloquent and appropriate speech, 
which was listened to by a large concourse of persons. The 
flag was received, on behalf of the Company, by Edward A. 
Reilly, Esq., in an equally happy manner. At the conclusion 
of Mr. Reilly’s remarks, the members of the Union gave three 
hearty cheers for the fair donors. 

“ The flag is a beautiful silk American flag, with golden 
stars set in a ground of deep blue. The pole is surmounted 
by a red velvet liberty cap, set with silver stars and adorned 
with silver braid and fringe. A silver tablet near the lower 
part of the pole contains the following inscription : 

“august 14, i860. 

PRESENTED BY THE LADY FRIENDS 
OF THE 

UNION FIRE COMPANY, 

NO. I, 

AT THEIR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

AUGUST 14, I760. 


72 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


“At the conclusion of this ceremony, the companies formed 
in line, and proceeded on their route as laid down in the 
programme. The line was as follows: Chief Marshal and his 
aid; the Sun, Amierican, and Shiftier companies; the Fencibles’ 
Brass Band; the flag bearer, supported by the President and 
a member; four axe men; the members of the Union; the 
Engine and Hose Carriage. 

“ During the parade many pleasant incidents occurred, which 
proved highly gratifying to the Company. Almost everywhere 
the ladies were prepared with wreaths and bouquets, which 
they threw into the ranks. Tn passing the various engine and 
hose houses their apparatus were drawn out and the bells 
made to ring merrily as the procession filed by. 

“ In passing along West Chestnut street, the procession 
halted in front of the residence of Mr. Jacob Baker, when the 
ladies of his family presented the Union with a beautiful 
framed wreath. R. W. Shenk, Esq., presented the wreath, on 
behalf of the donors, in a few neat and appropriate remarks, 
and the beautiful gift was received on behalf of the company 
by Mr. Stuart A. Wylie, editor of the Inquirer , in a brief and 
pleasant speech. 

“ From this point the procession proceeded on its route, 
and reached Centre Square about 5 o’clock, when it disbanded, 
and the companies returned to their homes. 

“ The parade was a success in every respect, and the mem¬ 
bers of the Union have every reason to be proud of it.” 

THE BALL. 

“The ball, given by the Union at Fulton Hall last evening, 
proved one of the most brilliant and best conducted parties 
which has taken place in this city for a long while. The 
room was conveniently full, the Company having wisely de¬ 
termined to issue tickets to their immediate friends and 
acquaintances only, and thus prevent that unpleasantness char¬ 
acteristic of promiscuous crowds. It would be invidious for 



UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


73 


us to particularize each bright eye that shone on the occasion, 
or each fair form that glided through the mazes of the dance. 
We can say, however, that the Union numbers among its lady 
friends some of the fairest daughters of Lancaster, and, as one 
of the speakers remarked, they were for the Union to a man. 
The party was kept up until a late, or rather an early hour, 
when the company departed for their homes, highly delighted 
with the night’s entertainment. 

“ The room was gaily decorated with flags and banners, and 
the beautiful engine of the Company had its place at the upper 
end of the hall, almost buried beneath wreaths, bouquets, and 
flowers, which had been received during the parade. 

“During the evening several episodes occurred in the pre¬ 
sentation of several beautiful wreaths and a burr frame. The 
latter was the gift of Miss Kate Cormeny, and was presented 
on behalf of the fair donor by R. W. Shenk, Esq., in his usual 
pleasant manner. The Union deputized Mr. Alfred Sanderson, 
the junior of the Intelligencer , to receive the offering, which he 
did in a few remarks abounding in wit and pleasantry. Miss 
Mollie Wylie and Mrs. Agnes Eberman offered two beautiful 
wreaths, which were presented on their behalf by Mr. S. A. 
Wylie, in a neat and appropriate speech, and which were 
received by Mr. A. W. Shenk, on behalf of the Company. 
The wreaths were made of artificial flowers and were beauti¬ 
fully arranged, reflecting the highest credit upon the taste and 
ingenuity of the donors. 

“ With all these pleasant incidents to mark the Centennial 
celebration of the Union Fire Company, if the members are 
not excessively happy, they are certainly an unimpressible set 
of mortals.” 


THE CENTENNIAL BANQUET. 

The next evening, the 15th of August, the Centennial ban¬ 
quet was given, of which the Express of the 16th gave the fol¬ 
lowing account: 


74 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


“ The grand festival of the Union Fire Company came off 
last night, according to previous announcement, at Fulton 
Hall. At 8 o’clock, the Company marched to the depot, and 
received a delegation from the Diligent Engine Company of 
Philadelphia. They were escorted to Shenk’s Exchange 
Hotel, East King street. At 9o’clock, the members of the 
Company and invited guests, together with the Fencibles’ 
Band, arrived at Fulton Hall, and immediately took seats at 
the supper table. And here we must give a passing notice of 
this part of the festival. The supper was prepared under 
the personal superintendence of Mrs. Emanuel Shober, the 
esteemed landlady of the Eagle Hotel, North Queen street, 
and was one of the most complete in every respect that we 
ever saw or partook of. The table fairly groaned under the 
weight of ‘good things,’ both of a solid and liquid nature. 
The reputation of the host and hostess of the Eagle Hotel for 
giving the finest of entertainments was most effectually kept 
up on this occasion. 

“ Henry E. Slaymaker, Esq., President of the Union, pre¬ 
sided. Among the invited guests present we noticed Mayor 
Sanderson, Mr. Wm, F. Shuler, President of the Sun Fire 
Company; Mr. John Brown, formerly, for many years, Secre¬ 
tary of the Union, now on the retired list; Capt. Franklin, 
Col. O. J. Dickey, Dr. J. Frank Huber, and the Diligent dele¬ 
gation. After the merits of the entertainment had been fully 
discussed, the President arose and stated that he had received 
a letter from Hon. Benjamin Champneys, who had been 
selected to deliver an address on the occasion, of an historical 
nature, having reference to the organization and advancement 
of the Union Fire Company, stating his regret at not being 
able to be present. The letter was read by the Secretary, Geo. 
K. Reed, Esq. Following is the letter: 

“ ‘ To the President and Members of the Union Fire Co.: 

“ ‘ Gentlemen : I deeply regret that I am most reluctantly 
compelled to be absent from the festive meeting of your Com- 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


75 


pany this evening, held in commemoration of the important 
event of its Centennial anniversary. I had anticipated great 
pleasure from a social reunion with a Company of which I feel 
great pride in being a member; and the occasion would have 
presented vividly to my mind the many pleasant recollections 
of the past, saddened only by the reflection that so many of 
our former associates have been carried, by the resistless wave 
of time, to the last resting place of all that remains of 
humanity. It has been truly remarked that a passing tribute 
to the memory and virtues of the dead is a just debt from the 
justice of the living. The recollection of their merits, integ¬ 
rity, and patriotic services, will always remain associated with 
the best feelings of the human heart, and offering the highest 
incentives to the bright path of duty in the future. 

“‘When the great principle upon which our ancestors relied 
in their resistance to the oppressions of the British crown was 
enunciated, the County of Lancaster was foremost in the 
exhibition of that patriotism, energy, and self denial, which 
were so characteristic of the general spirit of the American 
people, and amongst the most prominent, in the ranks of 
danger and duty, were to be found the members of the Union. 

“‘Without intending in the slightest degree to detract from 
the merits of other companies equally patriotic, whose mem¬ 
bers are actuated by no other spirit than that of a generous 
rivalry for the public good, it is but simple justice to be per¬ 
mitted to say of the past and present history of the Union, 
that its members have ever been ready, both in war and peace, 
to perform their whole duty to the community and the 
country. I remain, with high respect, 

“ ‘Your friend, 

“ ‘ B. Champneys. 

“‘ Lancaster , August 15, i860.’ 

“The President then called upon the Union to ‘fill up their 
glasses,’ and proposed as a sentiment: ‘The Founders of the 
Union Fire Company,’ which was drank standing. He then 




HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


proposed ‘the health of the Mayor of Lancaster/ and Mayor 
Sanderson, on rising to respond, which he did in a few very 
appropriate remarks, was greeted with much applause. He 
complimented the Union on its efficiency as an organization, 
spoke of the high character of its members generally, and 
the honorable positions they have occupied in the service of 
their country in different capacities, and paid a deserved trib¬ 
ute to the self-sacrificing devotion of firemen. He concluded 
his remarks by proposing: ‘The Union Fire Company—may 
its existence be perpetual, and may the Civil and Fire De 
partments of the City of Lancaster always act together in 
unison.’ His remarks were listened to with great attention, 
and he was heartily applauded at times. At the close he was 
greeted with three cheers and a tiger. 

“ Sentiments were also proposed and remarks made by 
Aldus J. Neff, Esq., by the way one of the best off-hand 
speakers we have ever heard; Mr. Elliott, of the Diligent; 
President Shuler, of the Sun ; Mr. Stuart A. Wylie, of the 
Inquirer; President Slaymaker, Capt. B. F. Baer, Mr. Alfred 
Sanderson, of the Intelligencer; Mr. O. C. M. Caines, and Dr. 
J. Frank Huber. The Union Glee Club, an organization com¬ 
posed of members of the Union Fire Company, favored the 
assemblage with some of the finest vocal music we have lis¬ 
tened to for a long while. The Fencibles’ Band also, during 
the progress of the entertainment, performed several of their 
most popular airs. 

“ The company dispersed at an early hour of the morning, 
delighted with the festivities of the night, the incidents of 
which will be treasured up in their memories for long years 
to come. The celebration of the hundredth anniversary of 
the Union Fire Company has throughout been a credit to 
that noble organization and the city of Lancaster. Our re¬ 
porter is satisfied that two finer entertainments (we have ref¬ 
erence to the ball of Tuesday night and the feast of last 
night) have never been given in this or any other city, and 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


77 


we trust the good feeling manifested toward the Union by 
their brother firemen and our citizens generally may exist 
for all time to come.” 

But nineteen short years have passed away, and of those 
who participated in the festivities of the centennial anniver¬ 
sary, Hon. Benjamin Champneys, Hon. George Sanderson, 
Mr. John Brown, Hon. O. J. Dickey, Mr. O. C. M. Caines, 
Mr. Stuart A. Wylie, Mr. A. W. Shenk, Capt. Aldus J. Neff, 
Capt. B. F. Baer, and Dr. J. Frank Huber have been “ carried 
by the resistless wave of time to the last resting place of all 
that remains of humanity.” The evening of the banquet was 
one of wit, song, and sentiment, and the incidents, pleasant 
indeed were they, are still fresh in memory. The gentlemen 
named, who contributed greatly to the pleasure of the occa¬ 
sion, are gone, and “the places which once knew them will 
know them no more forever.” 

THE DARK FOREBODINGS OF SECESSION-ACTION OF THE COM¬ 

PANY IN FAVOR OF THE CRITTENDEN COMPROMISE. 

The dark forebodings of secession and mutterings of civil 
\Yar were now beginning to be heard throughout the land. 
The Union Fire Company, true to its past reputation as a 
patriotic organization, stepped promptly to the front, and put 
itself upon record in favor of the Union and the Constitution. 
On the 1st of February, 1861, President Slaymaker “pre¬ 
sented to the Company a memorial addressed to th£ Senate 
of the United States, deploring the troubled condition of the 
country, professing the attachment of the Company to the 
Constitution, and advocating the adoption of the Crittenden 
amendment. The memorial was engrossed on a large sheet 
of paper, containing a colored drawing of the American flag, 
with the signatures of the officers and members of the Com¬ 
pany written upon the folds of the flag.” The memorial, 
which was unique and beautiful in design, was prepared by 
Col. J. Franklin Reigait, then of Lancaster, now a resident 


7 3 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


of Washington, D. C., and he was tendered the thanks of the 
Company “ for the skill and good taste shown in the prepa¬ 
ration.” 

RAISING OF THE FLAG ON THE STATE CAPITOL. 

On the 22d of February, 1861, the Union visited Harris¬ 
burg, the occasion being the raising of the flag upon the dome 
of the State Capitol by President-elect Lincoln. On his way 
to Harrisburg he stopped for a short time in this city, and was 
the recipient of an ovation. He made a brief speech in ac¬ 
knowledgment from the balcony of the Cadwell House, having 
been introduced to the assembled multitude by the late Hon. 
O. J. Dickey. 

RECEPTION OF THE MEMORIAL BY THE U. S. SENATE. 

At a meeting on the 1st of March, 1861, the following let¬ 
ter from Hon. William Bigler, then a U. S. Senator from 
Pennsylvania, in reference to the presentation of the Union 
memorial to the U. S. Senate, was presented by the President 
and read : 


“Senate Chamber, February 9, 1861.• 

“ Dear Sir : The memorial of your ancient and honorable 
fire company was promptly presented to the Senate. Its ap¬ 
pearance made some sensation in the chamber. I still hope 
for an adjustment that may save for a time what remains of 
the Union, but no one can tell what a day may bring forth. 

“ Very truly your friend, 

“ Wm. Bigler.” 


“ OFF FOR THE WAR.” 

In a note attached to the minutes of a meeting on the 3d of 
May, 1861, at which no business of importance was transacted, 
the Secretary says it was “ the smallest meeting held for a 
long time, nearly all the active members having joined the 
volunteer companies to assist in suppressing the Southern 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


79 


rebellion.” That brief note tells that no emergency could 
possibly arise in which the Union members were not ready 
and willing to offer their services, and do or die for their 
country. 

NAMES OF THE UNION PATRIOTS. 

Having spoken of the alacrity with which the members of 
the Union Fire Company responded to the call of their coun¬ 
try in the dark days of 1861, it now remains to be recorded 
who those patriots were, the commands in which they served, 
and the glorious renown which they achieved. Many of the 
poor fellows never returned to Lancaster. Upon the battle¬ 
fields of Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Penn¬ 
sylvania, they met and faced death. Their bones lie moulder¬ 
ing in a distant soil, far from home and kindred, while their 
spirits are tenting on the camping-ground of eternity. 

“ They sleep their last sleep. 

They have fought their last battle ; 

No sound can awake them 
To glory again.” 

The following members were reported at meetings of the 
Company, in the summer and fall of 1861, as being in the 
service for the suppression of the rebellion : 

ist Reg. P. V , Co. F. —Lieut. M. H*. Locher, Lieut. James 
P. Dysart, Serg’t J. H. Druckenmiller, Corp. J. P. Deichler, 
Corp. W. W. Murphy, and Privates Joseph Altick, David 
Bair, Jr., J. B. Chamberlain, Jacob S. Duchman, John B. Leb- 
kicher, Edward Eberman, Emanuel Gundaker, S. S. Holbrook, 
G. W. Jack, William D. Kuhn, Andrew J. Leibley, Edward 
Myers, John Madden, Benjamin H. Ober, W. T. Rote, H. F. 
Swentzel, and George Mason. 

ist Reg. P. V, Co. K .—Sergeants W. H. Gable, W. Garvin, 
J. Gable, and E. Druckenmiller. 

$th Reg. P. V .—Charles W. Wiley, H. M, Foltz, and E. 

Cramer. 


8o 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


iolh Reg. P. V. —Capt. J. K. Waltman. 

U. S. Marine Corps .—Henry E. Carson, William W. Mur¬ 
phy, George W. Jack. Messrs. Murphy and Jack enlisted 
in the Marine Corps at the conclusion of the three months’ 
service. 

ist Reg. P. R. V. C., Co. B. —Capt. Thomas B. Barton, Lieut. 
Harry Hook, Lieut. William L. Bear, Sergeants Strickler R. 
Everts, William E. Murray, John C. McCracken, George M. 
Bauman, Corporals Thomas S. Black, Philip L. Sprecher, 
William M. Hoffmeier, Theodore Wenditz, Musicians Frank¬ 
lin A. Haines, Thomas Judge, and Privates Nathan L. Bear, 
Benjamin F. Benedict, Albert H. Bitner, Abraham E. Bear, 

William H. Bubb, William W. Cox, William J. Cake, George 

* 

A. Cox, Augustus C. Duchman, William L. Dellet, John C. 
Eicholtz, George W. Engle, Edward Frankford, Henry Feller, 
Frederick D. Friday, Isaac H. Fortney, E. D. Freeland, Abra¬ 
ham Greenawald, James G. Humes, George W. Horner, Wm. 

B. Harman, Peter M. Heiser, Henry Hackman, Henry G. 
Hiestand, Robert Holt, Jacob D. Hine, Mathias Hart, John C. 
Harvey, Obadiah H. Kurtz, Henry M. Killian, Christian Kline, 
George W. Kendig, Robert B. Marshbank, William G. Mc¬ 
Clain, George M. Miller, Gilbert C. Myers, Emanuel C. Metz¬ 
ger, Grabill B. Myer, Peter L. Magennis, James T. McCully, 
John McClain, John A. Moss, John L. Norman, Ambrose 
Neyman, Chas. R. Pinkerton, Theo. C. Parvin, Thos. P. Price, 
John B. Renner, Lewis A. Rauch, Miles Rock, John K. Rutter, 
George F. Steinhauser, Isaac B. Steers, E. L. Sanders, James E. 
Strachan, Samuel S. Strachan, William H. Staley, William D. 
Stauffer, Joseph R. Thomas, Frank Whitlock, John Weidel, 
John M. Wortz, Milton Weidler, Jacob T. Zellers. 

Co. B, First Pennsylvania Reserves, was first organized and 
enlisted for the three months’ service. On its way to the de¬ 
pot to take the cars for Harrisburg, a telegram was received 
countermanding the order to report there. The large ma¬ 
jority of the members then immediately re-organized, and were 



BENJAMIN F. BAER, 

VICE-PRESIDENT FROM 1866 TO 1875. 















UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


8 [ 

ordered to Camp Wayne, at West Chester, June 4, 1861, when 
they were mustered into the three years’ service. The com¬ 
mand of the company was first tendered to President Slay- 
maker, who had been Orderly Sergeant of the Lancaster Fen- 
cibles, and who assisted in organizing and drilling the Union 
Guards. He was unable to accept, on account of business 
affairs. The late Capt. John H. Dysart was then elected, but 
he was also forced to decline the honor. The late Capt. Thos. 
B. Barton was then chosen, and accepted. He had been Chief 
Clerk in the Lancaster Post Office, and was the son of an officer 
of the U. S. Navy, who was afterward killed at the battle of 
San Jacinto, under Gen. Sam. Houston, fighting for the inde¬ 
pendence of Texas, in 1836. The company was named the 
Union Guards, because it had its origin in and zealous co¬ 
operation of the Union Fire Company, although a few of its 
members belonged to other fire organizations. 

Many of the members of the Union, some of whom are 
mentioned above, also served in the 79th, I22d, and other 
regiments, but as it is impossible to obtain a correct list, their 
names are omitted. Some, also, who enlisted as privates and 
non-commissioned officers, rose to the rank of Major, Captain,, 
and Lieutenant, and others were detailed for service in the 
Signal Corps. 

PRESENTATIONS TO CAPTAINS WEISE AND BAER. 

In August, 1862, elegant swords and sashes were presented 
to Captains John P. Weise and Benjamin F. Baer, who com 
manded companies in the I22d Regiment, Col. Franklin. The 
presentation was made, on behalf of the Union, by Mr. Stuart 
A. Wylie, and Captains Weise and Baer appropriately re¬ 
sponded. The members of the Union were then pleasantly 
entertained at “ The Corner” by those gentlemen. 

RETURN OF THE UNION GUARDS. 

Upon the return of the Union Guards to Lancaster, in 
June, 1864, they were warmly greeted and cordially welcomed 
6 


82 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


to their homes and firesides. The members of the Union 
Fire Company left at home (little more than a “ corporal’s 
guard ” they were) received the returning veterans, who de¬ 
barked from the cars at the Locomotive Works, and a short 
street parade was made. 

SEPARATION OF OFFICES. 

At the annual election for officers on the 3d of January, 
1862, the offices of Secretary and Treasurer were separated, 
and Mr. Frank L. Calder was elected Secretary, and Mr. George 
K. Reed, Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer 
had remained consolidated from the year 1813. 

MOURNING FOR THE DEAD HEROES. 

In the battles before Richmond, during the month of June, 
1862, the Pennsylvania Reserves were actively and constantly 
engaged, and suffered heavy losses. At a meeting, on the 
6th of July following, the flag of the Company was directed 
to be placed at half-mast for the period of fifteen days as a 
mark of respect to the memory of the members of the Union 
who were killed in that disastrous campaign. 

THE “EMERGENCY” PREVENTS A QUORUM. 

A meeting was called on the 3d of July, 1863, but there 
was no quorum, nearly all the members of the Company then 
in Lancaster having enlisted for the emergency during the in¬ 
vasion of Pennsylvania by Gen. Lee. 

A SUCCESSFUL FAIR. 

A fair for the benefit of the Company, which had been pro¬ 
posed in the fall of 1861, was postponed on account of the 
breaking out of the rebellion. In the winter of 1865, the 
project was again revived, and a fair was held for one week, 
at Fulton Flail, beginning on the 21st of February, which 
realized nearly $2,700. This had the effect, in a financial way, 
of putting the Union “upon its feet,” and, with the amount ob- 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 83 

tained, the debt of the Company was paid off, and the balance 
devoted toward the purchase of a steam fire engine. The fair 
proved a far greater success than was anticipated, which was 
due to the admirable arrangement and management of the 
Ladies’ Committee, of which Mrs. Dr. J. Frank Huber was 
President. 

THE UNION FREE FROM DEBT. 

At a meeting, on the 6th of April, 1865, “Vice-President 
Charles A. Heinitsh stated that the entire debt of the Com¬ 
pany had been paid off, and that he had in his hands at the 
present time the bonds and mortgage which had been held 
against the Company. Satisfaction has been entered for the 
same, and he moved that the said bonds and mortgage be 
destroyed. The motion was agreed to, when the same were 
destroyed by fire in the stove in the presence of the Company, 
and the old Union, No. 1, stands this day free from debt or 
claims of any kind against it.’’ The members were, and had 
just cause to be, jubilant at such an announcement. 

THANKS TO MESSRS. REED AND HEINITSH. 

At the same meeting, it was “ resolved that the thanks of 
the Company be and are hereby tendered to Messrs. George 
K. Reed and Charles A. Heinitsh, for the faithful manner in 
which they have discharged their duties as members of the 
Company.’’ The members felt that they were and are still 
largely indebted to these gentlemen for the then and present 
flattering condition of the Company’s finances, and thus for¬ 
mally placed upon record their appreciation of their unremit¬ 
ting labors. 


INTRODUCTION OF STEAM FIRE ENGINES. 

At this meeting, also, the President “ stated that the mem¬ 
bers of the Company have been discussing the propriety of 
getting a Steam Fire Engine ; that he had written to a num¬ 
ber of builders of steamers in relation to the same, and had 


8 4 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


received answers from several. Mr. Button, the builder of 
our hand engine, replies that he will build us a third-class 
steamer for $3,400, and if our hand engine is in good condi¬ 
tion, will take it at from $800 to $1,000. 

“ The President also stated that the Hope Fire Company of 
Harrisburg had one of the Button Engines ; that he had writ¬ 
ten to them in relation to the trial of the same before a com¬ 
mittee of this Company, and they replied they would be happy 
to give it a trial in the presence of a committee from the 
Union on Saturday afternoon next. 

“ It was then agreed that a committee proceed to Harris¬ 
burg at the time named—the committee to consist of as many 
members as desire to go.” 

THE COMMITTEE VISIT HARRISBURG-TRIAL OF THE 

HOPE STEAMER. 

The committee visited Harrisburg on the 8th of April, 1865. 
An account of the visit to that city and trial of the Hope 
steamer appeared in the Daily Intelligencer , of April 11. As it 
refers to a matter which decided the question upon the part of 
the Union as to the purchase of a steam fire engine, the article 
appropriately finds place at this point. It is as follows : 

“The Union Pdre Company, No. 1, of this city, propose get¬ 
ting a Steam Fire Engine. With this purpose in view, the 
Company at a late meeting, appointed a committee to proceed 
to Harrisburg to examine the steam engines of the Hope and 
Friendship Companies of that city. The committee consisted 
of the following-named gentlemen : Capt. H. E. Slaymaker, 
President; Capt. B. F. Baer, Vice-President; George K. Reed, 
Esq., Treasurer ; Col. Thomas Thurlow, Chief Engineer, and 
Messrs. J. H. Hegener, Jr., Frank Hegener, David H. Wylie, 
James F. Downey, and William H. Shober. 

“ The committee attended to the duty on Saturday last, and 
left here in the 11115 a. m. train, arriving in Harrisburg 
about 1 o’clock. They took quarters at the State Capitol 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


85 

Hotel, and, after dinner, in company with a committee of the 
Hope, and Mr. Theodore Rogers, of the Friendship, first 
visited the house of the Friendship, on Third street. The en¬ 
gine of this company is very neat and pretty, but not near as 
serviceable as that of the Hope. It was built by the Amos- 
keag Manufacturing Company, of Manchester, N. H. 

“After a short inspection of the Friendship’s apparatus and 
hall, the committee visited the house of the Hope, on Second 
street, and made a thorough inspection of the engine. Al¬ 
though not having as much fancy work about it as the Friend¬ 
ship, a first glance will show that it was built for durability 
and service. It is a beautiful piece of workmanship, and its 
capacities were severely and fully tested in the recent great 
freshet at Harrisburg. It is of class No. 2, and is made to 
run by hand or horse power. Its capacity is 8-horse power, 
cylinder 8*/^ inches, pump 6inches, and stroke of rod 5 
inches. It weighs 4,500 pounds, and can be drawn with ease 
by twenty men to any place in Harrisburg. But seventeen 
persons manned the ropes on Saturday when it was taken to 
the place of trial. The engine is named the ‘ W. H. KepnerJ 
after the honored President of the Hope. It was built by Mr. 
Button, of Waterford, N. Y., the builder of the engine at pres¬ 
ent belonging to the Union. The advantages which Mr. B, 
claim for his engines are, that they are really ‘ balance ’ en¬ 
gines, requiring no chocking while in operation, as they are 
entirely free from jerking or oscillating motion. This peculi¬ 
arity enables him to furnish a much more compact and power¬ 
ful engine than can be made, on any other plan, of the same 
weight and durability. He claims that his smallest engines 
can steadily perform the work of two hundred men. They 
are supplied with a fuel box, tool box, oilers, wrenches, span¬ 
ners, two service lanterns, and all the tools necessary to take 
them apart and put them together. The machine is furnished 
with a spring balance and safety valve, a glass water gauge, a 
small elastic suction tube to supply the boiler from a barrel, 


86 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


Avhen using very foul or salt water, a piece of gum hose with 
connections to boiler, to thaw ice when necessary, a variable 
exhaust valve to regulate the draft, and Button & Blake’s 
patent air chamber, which insures a uniform Stream for any 
length of time without exhausting the air. Also, a cut-off in 
the suction pipe, by means of which the engines can instantly 
stop the stream, and keep the engine in operation for supply¬ 
ing the boilers. The wheels and running gears are well pro¬ 
tected from the heat of the boiler. 

“About 4 o’clock, the engine, under the charge of Mr. S. 
H. Ettla, Secretary; William McCoy, Chief Engineer; Jacob 
Houser and George McAllister, Assistant Engineers; James 
M. Garverich, Fireman, and Messrs. Samuel McCabe, Benja¬ 
min Bowman, Thomas Sample, and Captain Thomas Martin, 
members of the Hope, and Theodore Rogers, of the Friend¬ 
ship, was taken to the place of trial, at the Old School Pres¬ 
byterian Church, on Third street, at the foot of the Capitol 
grounds. Fire was then kindled, and in ten minutes’ time 
steam was blowing off. A couple of sections of hose belong¬ 
ing to the Citizen Company were attached to the engine, and, 
with eighty-five pounds of steam, two streams were played, 
one of which was thrown through an inch and three-eighths 
nozzle over the steeple of the church, and this, too, with a 
strong current of wind to contend against. [We were credi¬ 
bly informed that on a calm day this engine can throw a 
stream of water over the steeple of another church, in that 
city, which has a height of two hundred and seven feet.] 
The trial was satisfactory in every respect, and was witnessed 
by a large number of spectators. 

“ On the return of the Company to the Hope’s house, an 
impromptu meeting was organized in the hall, and Mr. S. H. 
Ettla was called to the chair. Capt. B. F. Baer, on behalf 
of the Union, made a few felicitous remarks, thanking- the 
Hope for the courtesy shown the Union, which were appro¬ 
priately responded to by Mr. Ettla. A general good time 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 87 

was then 'had, and we know the ‘boys’ cannot but have a 
very favorable impression of their brethren of the Hope. 

“At the Hope house we met Hon. William H. Kepner, 
President of the Company, and the first Mayor of the city 
of Harrisburg. He is exceedingly courteous and affable in 
his manners, and almost idolized by the Hope members. 

“The committee were afterward escorted to several places 
of interest in the Capitol City by the Hope members. We 
believe they all enjoyed their visit, and will reciprocate the 
kind attentions shown them by the Hope whenever the op¬ 
portunity offers. 

“ The press of this city was represented on this occasion by 
Messrs. Rockafield of the Express , and Sanderson of the In¬ 
telligencer. They are both honorary members of the ‘ Fire 
Brigade,’ and most decidedly relish a ‘ steam squirt.’ ” 

A STEAMER DECIDED UPON. 

At a special meeting, on the 12th of April, 1865, the com¬ 
mittee to Harrisburg having made a report of the satisfactory 
nature of their visit, it was decided that Mr. Button should 
build a third-class Steam Fire Engine, the same to be deliv¬ 
ered on or before the 14th of August following. Messrs. H. 
E. Slaymaker, S. S. Spencer, Thomas Thurlow, William H. 
Thacakra, S. A. Wylie, and John A. Shober were appointed 
the building committee, and were given sole authority to 
superintend the construction of the steamer, which had just 
been ordered. 

SALE OF THE BUTTON SUCTION ENGINE. 

The time has come for bidding good-bye to the old hand 
fire engines, which, in the years agone, had done prodigious 
work. It can truly be said, in this respect at least, that “ old 
things have passed away, and all things become new,” for 
nearly every city and town in the country now possess one 
or more steam fire engines. 


88 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


A special meeting was convened on the 15th of June, 1865, 
at which “ Mr. George K. Reed stated that he had been called 
upon by a committee of the down Council of Hamburg, 
Berks county, who were in want of an engine. He had 
called all of the members together that he was able to see, 
for the purpose of giving the engine a trial in the presence 
of the committee. The committee were pleased with the en¬ 
gine, and now desired to know at what price the Company 
would sell the engine and hose carriage. 

“A motion by Mr. Watson H. Miller, that the Company 
sell the engine and hose carriage for the sum of $1,500, was 
amended by Mr. S. A. Wylie, that the officers of the Company 
be instructed, and that they be a committee to dispose of the 
engine and hose carriage to the best advantage. The motion, 
as amended, was agreed to.” 

The committee met subsequently the same day, and 
agreed to sell the engine and hose carriage, with four sections 
of hose, for $1,500. The offer was accepted by the committee 
from Hamburg, on condition that the Company deliver the 
engine and hose carriage at that place on the 4th of July fol¬ 
lowing, which the Company agreed to do. 

THE ENGINE AND HOSE CARRIAGE TAKEN TO HAMBURG. 

The following members of the Company, having in charge 
the engine and hose carriage, left for Hamburg on the 3d of 
July: Messrs. H. E. Slaymaker, Joseph K. Bauman, William 
Elder, J. H. Hegener, Jr., Hanford B. Herr, Casper Metzger, 
William Millar, William P. O’Bryan, George K. Reed, E. E. 
Snyder, John A. Shober, William H. Shober, William H. 
Thackara, Abraham Sheets, William H. Long, Jacob Waters, 
Thomas Thurlow, Stuart A. Wylie, William T. Wylie, and 
David H. Wylie. They arrived in that place, the second in 
population and importance in the old county of Berks, on the 
evening of the 3d, and were cordially received by the inhabi¬ 
tants of the ancient and, in some respects, still primitive town. 



STUART A. WYLIE, 

VICE-PRESIDENT FROM 1 866 TO 1872. 









UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


89 

On the morning of the 4th they gave an exhibition of the 
engine’s capacity, playing one, two, and three streams of water 
alternately. A procession, headed by the Town Council ot 
the borough, was subsequently formed, and, after marching 
through the town, proceeded to a pleasant grove in the out¬ 
skirts, where the ladies had made ample preparations for the 
entertainment of the visitors. The day was spent in picnic 
style, at the conclusion of which the money was paid over, 
and the Union members left on their return home at 4 o’clock 
in the afternoon. Arriving at Litiz, they witnessed the illumi¬ 
nation of the Spring grounds, and reached Lancaster at a late 
hour of the night. 

ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION OF THE STEAMER. 

The Steam Engine reached Lancaster on Saturday, Septem¬ 
ber 23, 1865, and in honor of its arrival the American and 
Shiffler Companies united with the Union in a parade, which 
was noticed in the following manner by the Daily Intelli¬ 
gencer, of September 25 : 

“ The steamer of the Union Fire Company arrived on Sat¬ 
urday afternoon, at 1 o’clock. A parade of the Union, Ameri¬ 
can, and Shiffler Companies took place, the two latter acting 
as an escort. The line of procession was formed on Chestnut 
street, and moved as follows : 

“ Chief Marshal—Dr. J. T. Baker, American. 

“ Aids—George Miller, American ; John Shertz, Shiffler. 

“ Young Men’s Drum Corps. 

“ American, No. 5, W. G. Evans, Marshal. 

“ Shiffler, No. 7, John Fritz, Marshal. 

“ City Cornet Band. 

“ Union, No. 1, Capt. H. E. Slaymaker, Marshal. 

“ Union Steamer, drawn by two cream-colored horses, upon 
which were mounted two boys dressed in the Union uniform. 

“Carriage containing Mayor Sanderson, Mr. L. Button, 
builder of the engine; Col. John H. Duchman, Superintendent 
City Water Works, and Mr. William Millar. 


/ 



OUR OWN : THANKS TO OUR LADY FRIENDS. 
















































































































































UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


91 


“ The American appeared with white shirts, fire hats, and 
black pants ; the Shiftier were fully equipped in firemen’s 
suits, and the Union appeared in new gray shirts, black pants, 
and wore the New York fire hat and belt. All the companies 
made an exceedingly handsome display. The lady friends of 
the different companies, as usual, were very profuse in the dis¬ 
tribution of beautiful bouquets. 

“The procession proceeded over the route previously des¬ 
ignated, and about half past 4 o’clock halted in front of 
Trinity Lutheran Church, Duke street, where a 

PRELIMINARY TRIAL OF THE STEAMER 

Took place. The trial was not as satisfactory as could have 
been desired, which was owing to a variety of causes. There 
is not a doubt, however, of the steamer being able to do every¬ 
thing that can be reasonably expected of it. The steamer is 
named ‘ //. E. Slaymaker ,’ a well-bestowed compliment on the 
active, worthy, and esteemed President of the Union. It is of 
the third-class build, and plays two streams. ' It is a neat and 
beautiful piece of mechanism. The signal lamp in front was 
captured at Resaca, Georgia, on the 14th of May last, by Mr. 
Richard Kirk, of this city. It was taken off of a steam fire 
engine, which was on a railroad truck endeavoring to get 
away from the Federal forces. It is of English manufacture, 
and one of the finest specimens of the kind we have ever seen. 
On the sides of the boiler are two silver plates, with the name 
and motto of the Company. On the small air chamber in 
front is a silver plate with the following inscription : ‘ 0 ?ir 
Own : Thanks to our Lady Friends .’ ’’ 

ANOTHER AND THOROUGH TRIAL. 

The same paper, of the same date, states that “ another and 
thorough trial of the Union Steamer took place on the first 
square of East King street, this morning, under the direction 
of Mr. L. Button, the builder. There was an inch and an 


92 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


eighth nozzle stream played through 150 feet of hose, with 90 
pounds of steam, to the distance of 226 feet. Steam was 
blowing off in eight minutes after the fire was kindled. In 
every respect the steamer performed its work satisfactorily 
without blocking, and the Union boys are of course in ecsta- 

• )) x 

sies. 

ENGINEERS AND HOSE DIRECTORS. 

The Board of Engineers at this time consisted of the follow¬ 
ing members: Messrs, Thomas Thurlow, Chief Engineer; 
John A. Shober, First Assistant; George M. Bauman, Second 
Assistant; Directors—David St. John, William H. Thackara, 
John A. Overdeer, Joseph K. Bauman, Al. M. Zahm, George 
W. Kendrick. 

At the next annual election, in January, 1866, the following 
persons were elected Engineers : Thomas Thurlow, S. R. 
Everts, William H. Thackara, David H. Wylie, John A. Over¬ 
deer, Joseph K. Bauman, Charles M. Hambright, John A. 
Shober. Hose Directors :—Frank Hegener, Jacob R. Waters, 
William T. Wylie, William H. Shober, Joseph C. Biggs, Han¬ 
ford B. Herr. 


THE FIRST JONES COUPLINGS. 

“ First in everything,” is the motto which has governed the 
Union all through the long period of its existence. On the 
7th of December, 1865, the Company resolved, having re¬ 
ceived an appropriation of $1,000 from the City Councils, to 
purchase 500 feet of hose, with the Jones Couplings attached, 
from the New York Belting and Hose Company. The hose 
was bought accordingly, and this was the introduction of the 
Jones Couplings in the Fire Department of Lancaster. 

THE CORPORATE NAME CHANGED. 

At the same meeting, the officers were directed to apply to 
the Court to have the corporate name of the Company 
amended. The proper application was made, and the prayer 


93 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 

of the petitioners was granted on the 24th of December fol¬ 
lowing, when the Court of Quarter Sessions decreed that it 
should thereafter be known as “ The Union Steam Fire En¬ 
gine and Forcing Hose Company, No. 1.” 

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. GEORGE K. REED. 

On the 4th of January, 1866, after the regular business had 
been transacted, “ the President arose and said that the Com¬ 
pany was now about to show its respect for one of the oldest 
and most faithful officers and members, George K. Reed, Esq., 
who had been the guardian of the treasury for the past four¬ 
teen years, and who at one time shouldered the entire debt of 
the Company, and through whose admirable financiering the 
Company was kept afloat.” 

Mr. Stuart A. Wylie then, on behalf of the Company, in a 
few appropriate remarks, presented Mr. Reed a handsome 
ebony cane, the head of which was of solid gold, beautifully 
chased, and on which was engraved the following inscription : 
“ Presented to George K. Reed, Esq., by the Union Steam 
Fire Engine and Forcing Hose Company, No. 1, for faithful 
services as Treasurer. 1866.” 

Mr. Reed was greatly surprised, and returned his heartfelt 

thanks to his fellow-members for this remembrance. He 

\ 

referred briefly to the past history of the Company, but more 
particularly to the past twenty years of its history. He said 
that he had determined a few years ago to resign his position 
as soon as the Company was unincumbered with a debt, and 
he was happy on this occasion to hand the accounts to his 
successor with a balance in the Company’s favor. 

MR. REED DECLINES A RE-ELECTION. 

At this meeting, Mr. Reed defined a re-election to the office 
of Treasurer, a position which he had filled with marked ability 
and fidelity for a period of fourteen years. To Mr. Reed the 
Company is greatly indebted for its present prosperity. He 


94 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


paid the interest on the bonds when there was no money in 
the treasury, and the appropriation from the city amounted to 
the insignificant sum of $75 per annum. The members were, 
therefore, reluctant to dispense with his services. He is still 
on the active list, and takes a lively interest in the Company 
and its welfare. 

ELECTION OF MR. HEINITSH AS HIS SUCCESSOR. 

Mr. Reed’s declination was accepted, and Mr. Charles A. 
Heinitsh was chosen his successor, and still remains Treasurer 
of the Company. Having built up a large drug business by 
care and prudence, he has managed the finances of the Union 
in the same careful and prudential manner, and no similar or¬ 
ganization is on a better pecuniary footing to-day. 

A GIFT DISTRIBUTION. 

A gift distribution was held for the benefit of the Company 
in the month of June, 1866, which netted about $1,500. This 
was managed by Messrs. William H. Rauch and James F. 
Downey, the latter for years an active member of the Com¬ 
pany, and now editor and proprietor of the Journal , at Louis¬ 
iana, Missouri. 

VISIT OF THE U. S. HOSE COMPANY, NO. 1 4 , OF PHILADELPHIA. 

On the 22d of October, 1866, the U. S. Hose Company, No. 
14, of Philadelphia, visited Lancaster, as the guests of the 
Union, and a ball and reception were given in their honor in 
the evening at Fulton Hall. 

On this occasion a set of handsome silver torches was pre¬ 
sented by Mrs. S. R. Everts (now of Harrisburg), Mrs. Biggs, 
and other lady friends of the Union, for which, at a subsequent 
meeting, the thanks of the Company were tendered. 

THE GREAT PARADE OF OCTOBER, 1 867. 

The largest parade of firemen in Pennsylvania, outside of 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


95 


Philadelphia, took place in Lancaster on the 17th of October, 
1867. It was a magnificent demonstration, and was partici¬ 
pated in by companies from Philadelphia, Reading, Harris¬ 
burg, York, Lebanon, Altoona, and by delegations of firemen 
from nearly all the towns in the interior of the State. Samuel 
H. Reynolds, Esq., was the Chief Marshal, with an Aid 
and Assistant Marshal from every company in the line. It 
occurred upon one of the most beautiful of Indian Summer 
days, and a commendable feature (one too rarely followed) was 
that it moved promptly at the hour fixed. It took over an 
hour to pass a given point, and was witnessed not only by the 
entire populace of Lancaster, but by thousands of people 
from a distance. The city presented a gay holiday appearance, 
and liberal displays of bunting and other decorations were to 
be seen in every quarter. The procession was reviewed in 
Centre Square by Governor Geary, Mayor Sanderson, the 
Judges of the Court, City Councils, and other city officers, 
who stood upon a large covered platform. 

The Union, though not participating in the parade, assisted 
liberally in the entertainment of the visiting firemen, and gave 
a superb banquet the preceding evening to the Hibernia En¬ 
gine and U. S. Hose Companies of Philadelphia. Capt. Slay- 
maker, President of the Company, presided, and speeches were 
made by Capt. B. F. Baer, Vice-President of the Union; Mr. 
John T. Doyle, President, and Mr. W. T. McCully, a member 
of the Hibernia; Mr. Charles Buckwalter, of the U. S. Hose; 
Mr. S. A. Wylie, Mr. J. F. Downey, Col. H. A. Cook, of the 
Baxter Fire Zouaves; Mayor Sanderson, Mr. John T. Weart, 
Chief Engineer of the Trenton (N. J.) Fire Department; Mr. 
John L. McGinnis, Mr. H. G. Smith, then editor of the Intel¬ 
ligencer, (now a farmer in Tennessee,) and Prof. John Hart. 
The scenes and incidents of the occasion are still fresh in the 
minds of the participants living to-day. 

Many of the visiting firemen paid their respects to ex-Pres- 
ident Buchanan, at Wheatland, and were cordially received 


96 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


and hospitably entertained by that distinguished statesman. 
One of the Philadelphia bands, which accompanied the Hi¬ 
bernia, having played the “ Star Spangled Banner,” led to a 
relation of the circumstances attending 

THE PRODUCTION OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM. 

Mr. Buchanan said ‘Frank Key, the author, whom he knew 
well, told him the story in the most impressive manner. Key 
had been sent to the English fleet, then in Chesapeake Bay, 
to make arrangements in regard to the exchange of prisoners. 
While he was still on board the British Admiral’s ship, the 
bombardment of Fort McHenry began. Key was put into a 
perfectly safe position in the hold of the vessel, and compelled 
to remain during the engagement. W 7 ith the hostile cannon 
thundering their missiles against his countrymen from the 
deck above his head, he passed a night of the most painful 
anxiety. With the dawn the engagement ceased. Key was 
permitted to go on deck, and as he saw the Stars and Stripes 
through the gray mist of the breaking morning, still floating 
proudly on the walls of the old fort, under the glorious in¬ 
spiration of the moment the thrilling words of our National 
air thronged through his mind almost precisely as they are 
now sung by many millions of American citizens. 

The recital of this incident, told as it was in the ex-Presi- 
dent’s inimitable style, was received with prolonged cheering, 
which made the beautiful grove in front of the mansion echo 
and re-echo with the loud acclaim. 

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF DAVID M. LYLE. 

David M Lyle, one of the noblest, bravest, most coura¬ 
geous firemen that ever lived, died in Philadelphia, in the 
early part of November, 1867. At the time of his.death, and 
for several years previously, he held the position of Chief 
Engineer of the old Philadelphia Volunteer Fire Department. 
David M. Lyle had never any thought than that of doing 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


97 


good. No danger was too great for him to meet, no diffi¬ 
culty too insurmountable for him to overcome, no sacrifice 
that he was not ready to make at any time for the benefit of 
his fellow-citizens. He was the beau ideal of a fireman. 
True-hearted, generous, disinterested, unselfish, he died, as he 
had lived, without an enemy in the world. Between the la¬ 
mented deceased and the Union members there existed the 
closest bond of sympathy and friendship, and during his fre¬ 
quent visits to Lancaster (the last of which was at the great 
parade in the preceding October), he was always their hon¬ 
ored guest. The following minute in reference to his death is 
recorded at a special meeting of the Company, held Novem¬ 
ber 7, 1867, Mr. John B. Markley in the chair: 

“ The chair having stated the object of the meeting, the 
following resolutions were offered and unanimously adopted: 

“ In view of the recent death of David M. Lyle, late Chief 
Engineer of the Fire Department of Philadelphia, be it 

“ Resolved , That the Union S. F. E. and F. H. Co. No. 1, of 
the City of Lancaster, while aware of the honorable record of 
the deceased as a fireman, and as the Chief of the Fire De¬ 
partment of the city of his residence, cherish a most lively- 
recollection of their intercourse with him as the chosen rep¬ 
resentative of Philadelphia firemen, on repeated visits to Lan¬ 
caster. 

“ Resolved , That this Company desire to join with their 
brethren of Philadelphia in the expression of their apprecia¬ 
tion of those qualities in the deceased which made him as a 
fireman and an officer to be prized by the community, and 
socially a pleasure to all his acquaintances. 

“ Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted 
to the Fire Department of Philadelphia, to the Fairmount 
Fire Company, and to the Hibernia Fire Company, No. I, of 
Philadelphia, and that out of respect to the memory of the 
deceased, the colors of the Company be draped in mourning 
on the day of the funeral.” 

7 


98 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


THE ENGINE TO BE RE-BUILT. 

At a special meeting, held on the 9th of January, 1868, the 
President stated that it had been called to take action on 
re-building the engine. After considerable discussion, the 
following resolution, offered by Mr. Stuart A. Wylie, was 
adopted : 

“ Resolved , That the Board of Engineers, with the President 
of the Company as chairman, be a committee to have the 
steamer re-built, with the boiler altered to Button’s latest im¬ 
proved pattern, the jacket to be of the best Russia iron, spin¬ 
nings to be of German silver, fly wheels of Prince’s metal, 
new headlight of latest style, and all the iron work to be 
polished. The engine not to leave the house until April 1st, 
and the cost of all the improvements not to exceed the sum 
of $1,250; and in case the committee deem it for the best in¬ 
terests of the Company to alter or modify any of the above 
specifications of improvements in the engine, without increas¬ 
ing the above specified expense, they shall have the power, 
without any further authority from the Company.” 

The following resolution was also adopted: 

“ Resolved , That the committee on alterations of engine be 
directed to secure a written guarantee from Mr. Button that 
when the engine is returned completed to the house, upon 
trial, .it will throw a stream of water (solid) at least 260 feet, 
raise steam in four minutes, and sustain a constant pressure of 
160 pounds when the engine is under ordinary work.” 

The engine, as then re-built, is the one now in service. On 
its return from the Messrs. Button’s works, in June of that 
year, it was received and housed by the Hibernia Engine 
Company, No. I, of Philadelphia, until a committee from the 
Union arrived in that city. The committee were banqueted 
by the Hibernia, and driven in open barouches through Fair- 
mount Park by the members of U. S. Hose Company, No. 14. 
The engine was exhibited in the Park before the Chief En<W- 
neer and others of the Philadelphia Fire Department, and 



HENRY E. SLAYMAKER, 

PRESIDENT FROM 1 856 TO 1 879. 












UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


99 


they were astonished at the manner in which it took water 
through twenty feet of suction hose, with a dry pump, from the 
Schuylkill. 

When it was brought to Lancaster, on the following day, a 
committee were present from the Vigilant Engine Company 
of York, headed by Mr. J. Carl, now Chief Burgess of that 
borough, and the engine was tested. It was taken to Graeff’s 
Landing, on the Conestoga, and played a distance of 262 feet 
with an inch and an eighth nozzle through one hundred feet of 
hose. The York committee were so much pleased with the 
engine’s work, that they immediately ordered a steamer of the 
same class from Mr. Button, which has rendered most effect¬ 
ive service. 

Shortly after it was tested at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 
and threw an inch and an eighth stream twenty feet over the 
spire, equal to 216 feet. 

HELPING TO DECORATE THE SOLDIERS’ GRAVES. 

The Company accepted an invitation from Post No. 84, G. 
A. R., and participated in the first decoration of the graves of 
the Union soldiers and sailors, on the 30th of May, 1868. 

DEATH OF EX-PRESIDENT BUCHANAN. 

Hon. James Buchanan, fifteenth President of the United 
States, and one of the oldest, most honored, and most illustri¬ 
ous members of the Union, died at Wheatland on the 1st of 
June, 1868. He was born near the village of Mercersburg, 
Franklin county, on the 23d of April, 1791, graduated at 
Dickinson College, Carlisle, in 1809, when but eighteen years 
old, removed to Lancaster the same year, entered and read 
law in the office of James Hopkins, Esq., then the leading 
lawyer at the Lancaster Bar (also a member of the Union), 
was admitted to practice in November, 1812, when but 
little over twenty-one years of age, and speedily rose to the 
head of the legal profession in Pennsylvania. He was success¬ 


'll 

He , 


100 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


ively a member of the State Legislature, member of Congress, 
Minister to Russia, U. S. Senator, Secretary of State under 
Mr. Polk’s administration, Minister to England, and President 
of the United States. 

A meeting of the Company was convened on the 2d of 
June, when President Slay maker stated that it had been called 
“ to take some appropriate action upon the death of our late 
distinguished member, ex-President James Buchanan, whose 
death had just been announced, and who had been one of the 
most active members of the Company from the year 1813 to 
1839, and since that time had headed the list of Honorary 
and Contributing Members.” 

A motion was made by Mr. John B. Markley, that a com¬ 
mittee be appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sen¬ 
timents of the Company, which was agreed to, and Messrs. 
John B. Markley, Stuart A. Wylie, and Benjamin F. Baer 
were selected, who reported the following preamble and resolu¬ 
tions, which were adopted by a unanimous vote, and directed 
to be entered upon the records: 

“ Whereas, The Union Steam Fire Engine and Forcing 
Hose Company, No. 1, has learned of the death of Hon. 
James Buchanan, late President of the United States, and for 
more than fifty years a member of this Company; therefore, 
be it 

“ Resolved , That the Company, while deeply regretting the 
loss of one who, in his early days, was one of its most active 
members, and for more than thirty years headed the retired 
list as its most distinguished ornament, yet bow in humble 
submission to the will of‘Him who doeth all things well.’ 

“ Resolved , That this Company takes pride in having had 
in its ranks one who enjoyed to the greatest extent the confi¬ 
dence of his fellow-citizens, and that of the various eminent 
positions held at their hands and of his government, as well as 
his exemplary character and generous impulses as a citizen, 
entitle his memory to our highest respect and regard. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


IOl 


“ Resolved , That the Company in a body attend his funeral; 
that the engine house, on the day of the funeral, be draped in 
mourning, and that the flags of the Company be placed at 
half-mast. 

“ Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted 
by the Secretary to the representatives of the family. 

“ Messrs. S. R. Everts, Joseph C. Biggs, and Jacob May were 
appointed to drape the engine house in mourning.” 

The funeral was an immense and imposing demonstration. 
All the public buildings and places of business in the city were 
closed, and the funeral was attended by the Mayor, City Coun¬ 
cils and other city officers, the Judges of the Court and mem¬ 
bers of the Bar, all the civic associations and fire companies 
(the Union being marshaled on the occasion by Mr. John B. 
Markley), Mayor Hoffman and the Common Council of the 
city of New York, and a large number of distinguished citi¬ 
zens from all parts of the country. The funeral sermon was 
preached by Rev. John W. Nevin, D. D., between whom and 
the deceased there had existed a lifelong friendship, and the 
remains were interred in the beautiful Woodward Hill Ceme¬ 
tery, on the banks of the Conestoga. Over his grave a large 
monument of pure white Italian marble was subsequently 
placed. 

PRESENTATION TO CAPT. BAER. 

On the 3d of March, 1870, a handsome ebony gold-headed 
cane, appropriately inscribed, was presented to Capt. B. F. 
Baer, one of the Vice Presidents of the Company. The cere¬ 
mony took place at the engine house, the cane being pre¬ 
sented by Messrs. Joseph C. Biggs and George W. Kendrick, 
and was received by Capt. Baer in a neat and happy speech. 

ANOTHER HOSE CARRIAGE PURCHASED. 

On the 4th of August, of the same year, it was decided by 
the Company to purchase a Button Hose Carriage. It was 
finished and received on the 4th of November following, a 


102 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


parade of the Friendship, Humane and Empire Hook and 
Ladder Companies taking place, the latter company acting as 
an escort to the Union. Mr. John Copland was the Marshal. 



A CANE TO MR. STUART A. WYLIE. 

A ball was given by the Company, at Fulton Hall, on Wed¬ 
nesday evening, November I, 1871. During the evening, a 
gold-headed cane of ebony wood was presented to Vice-Presi¬ 
dent Stuart A. Wylie. Mr. George W. Kendrick made the 
presentation speech, which was appropriately responded to by 
Mr. Wylie. 

NEW YEAR’S GIFT TO THE COMPANY. 

On the 4th of January, 1872, President Slaymaker and 
Vice-Presidents Baer and Wylie presented a New Year’s gift 
to the Company, in the shape of two handsome nickel fire 
horns. 

AN ANNUAL APPROPRIATION FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 

At this meeting, the Company took the initiative in request¬ 
ing the County Commissioners to make an annual appropria¬ 
tion to the Fire Department. The matter was placed in the 
hands of Capt. B. F. Baer, and a convention of the Fire De¬ 
partment was called, which resulted in the appointment of 


























UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


IO3 


a committee to wait upon the Commissioners, and ask for an 
appropriation. The Commissioners subsequently resolved to 
make an annual appropriation of $60 to each of the steam 
engine companies. 

CARBOLIZED-COMBINATION HOSE PURCHASED. 

On the 6th of June, in this year, the Committee on New 
Hose reported “ that they had purchased five hundred and 
fifty feet of Carbolized-Combination Hose, and congratulate 
the Company upon its being now ready ‘ to lend its aid in 
time of need,’ having six hundred feet of the best line of hose 
ever run in this city, and, further, that we are again ahead in 
the department with improvements.” 

DEATH OF MR. STUART A. WYLIE. 

On the 12th of June, 1872, Mr. Stuart A. Wylie, for sev¬ 
eral years one of the Vice-Presidents of the Company, died 
after a short illness, at the age of thirty-three years. Mr. 
Wylie, young as he was, had already made his mark. He 
was no ordinary man. After graduating from the High 
School, and while yet a boy, he became a reporter upon 
the old Inland Daily , then published by the venerable The- 
ophilus Fenn, now a resident of Maryville, Dauphin county, 
and his quick perception, great energy, and perseverance, 
soon made him invaluable to that establishment. Here it 
was that he obtained his rudimental knowledge of the typo¬ 
graphical art, which subsequently placed him at the head of 
one of the largest printing and publishing houses in Pennsyl¬ 
vania, the Lancaster Inquirer , of which he was the founder. 
He was impulsive in his feelings, but, like all such men, 
genial and warm-hearted in disposition. He had ability as 
an editor, but it was in the practical details and management 
of a printing office that he excelled. His talent for organizing 
and originating shone conspicuously, hence the extended rep¬ 
utation he made for his establishment, which it retains to this 


104 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


day. If it were appropriate, many pleasant reminiscences of 
the deceased might be called up. It seems but yesterday that 
the members of the Union were wont to see the bright eye, 
receive the pleasant smile, and meet with the warm greeting 
of Stuart A. Wylie. But he is gone. In the flush of early 
manhood he was summoned to exchange the scenes of time 
for those of eternity, and his spirit is now an inhabitant of the 
unseen world. 

A special meeting of the Company was called on the even¬ 
ing of the next day, which President Slaymaker stated “ to 
be for the purpose of taking some fitting action in regard to 
the death of Vice-President Stuart A. Wylie, which event 
occurred yesterday, after a short illness, and feelingly and 
briefly expressed the regret of the Company thereat, and di¬ 
rected the attention of the members to the efficiency and ser¬ 
vice rendered by Mr. Wylie, both as an officer and mem¬ 
ber.” 

Remarks of an eulogistic nature were made by Capt. B. F. 
Baer, and Messrs. George W. Kendrick, James F. Downey 
and James R. Patterson. Messrs. B. F. Baer, John B. Mark- 
ley, Edwin E. Snyder, John A. Shober, and James F. Downey 
were appointed a committee on resolutions. They reported 
the following, which were unanimously adopted : 

“In view of the death of Stuart A. Wylie, long a member 
and one of the Vice-Presidents of the Union Steam Fire En¬ 
gine and Forcing Hose Co., No. I, of the City of Lancaster, 
be it 

“ Resolved , That the Company desire to express their grief 
at the loss of an associate who, as a fireman, was always active 
and efficient; as a member and an officer, was always devoted 
to the Company, and one whose social qualities had linked 
him to the hearts of all his comrades. 

“ Resolved , That, in respect to the memory of our deceased 
Vice-President, the chair usually filled by him in the Company 
shall be kept vacant, and draped in mourning until the next 
annual election. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


105 


“ Resolved , That the Company will in a body attend the 
funeral of their deceased Vice-President. 

“ Resolved , That the apparatus and meeting-room of the 
Company be draped in mourning for the period of thirty days. 

“ Resolved , That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted 
by the Secretary to the widow of our deceased friend.” 

A motion was also adopted to procure from Mr. Wylie’s 
family a portrait of him, and have a photographic copy taken 
therefrom, to be hung in the hall. 

THE UNION “ LENDS ITS AID IN TIME OF NEED” TO THE 

PEOPLE OF LITIZ. 

On the 31st of July, 1873, the village of Litiz was visited by 
a fire, which at one time during its progress threatened to be 
very disastrous. The Litiz Springs Hotel, a large four-storied 
frame building (originally the old “ Wabank House”), was en¬ 
tirely destroyed. It was a famous summer resort for people 
from Lancaster and other cities. Telegrams were sent to this 
city for help, and Maj. Charles M. Howell, then Chief Engineer 
of the Fire Department, detailed the Union and Washington 
Companies. Both promptly responded, and materially assisted 
in saving the village from destruction. 

At this fire, the Union steamer, for the first time, refused to 
take water. This was owing to the fact that one of the valves 
of the pump had been lost the day previous at the pumping 
out of Franke’s beer vault, it having passed out of the open 
butt of the hose, and which was not discovered until after the 
Litiz fire. Col. Thurlow found the steamer was not doing its 
work as it usually did, and had he been present would not 
have permitted it to be taken to Litiz. Both the Friendship and 
Sun steamers had worked ineffectually for three days to pump 
out Mr. Franke’s vault, a depth of thirty-two feet perpen¬ 
dicularly, but the lift was too great for their capacity. There 
has been no engine built which can lift water with a dry 
pump to equal the Button, a fact which is now admitted by 


106 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

most engine builders. At the Litiz fire, the Union members, 
equal to every emergency, attached a section of hose to the 
Washington steamer, and also to No. 2 outlet of their own 
engine, and with this priming their steamer immediately took 
water, and played a heavy continuous stream forseveral hours 
through nearly one thousand feet of hose. The following 
morning the air chamber and pump were taken off, and the 
cause of the refusal of the steamer to take water discovered. 
At the repairing of the steamer on this occasion, Col. Thurlow 
lost a portion of the index finger of his right hand. 

THE PEOPLE OF LITIZ RETURN THANKS. 

On the 2d of August following, the citizens of Litiz assem¬ 
bled in town meeting, to make a suitable acknowledgment of 
their indebtedness to these companies. Mr. R. R. Tshudy 
presided, and Mr. N. S. Wolle officiated as Secretary. 
Messrs. F. W. Christ, I. F. Bomberger, J. R. Bricker, O. T. 
Huebener, and N. S. Wolle, the committee on resolutions, 
reported the following, which were unanimously adopted: 

“ Whereas, The town of Litiz was, on the 31st ult, threat¬ 
ened with a fearful and widespread calamity by the fire which 
originated in the large frame structure of the Litiz Springs 
Hotel, giving just cause for the fears entertained that the men 
and means at command were not adequate to arrest the pro¬ 
gress of the destroyer; 

“And Whereas, The threatening aspect of affairs rendered 
speedy and effective help the more valuable, while more dis¬ 
tant aid was not the less desirable, and therefore early asked 
for ; therefore be it 

“ Resolved , That our heartfelt thanks are due and hereby 
tendered by the citizens of Litiz to those neighbors who has¬ 
tened to our assistance, and rendered such invaluable aid in 
confining the destroying element to the building in which it 
originated. 

“ Resolved , That the promptness and cheerfulness with which 






THOMAS THURLOW, 

HONORARY CHIEF ENGINEER. 














UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


107 


the authorities of the Fire Department of the City of Lancaster 
responded to an appeal for help, and dispatched the Union and 
Washington Steam Fire Engines, with a working force accom¬ 
panying each, also calls for our sincere thanks to all parties 
who hastened to bring us relief. 

“ Resolved , That to the authorities controlling the Reading 
and Columbia Railroad no small share of thanks is due for the 
dispatch with which the aid sought from Lancaster was for¬ 
warded hither, as also for the help which was proffered us 
from Reading, at the other end of the road.” 

The resolutions were subsequently handsomely engrossed 
on parchment, framed, and sent to the Union, and now hang 
upon the walls of the meeting-room. 

COL. THOMAS THURLOW MADE HONORARY CHIEF ENGINEER. 

At this point there appears a pleasing record upon the 
pages of the Company’s history—the creation of the office of 
Honorary Chief Engineer, and conferring the position upon 
Col. Thomas Thurlow. No one can know Col. Thurlow 
without having respect for him. A man of few words, but 
prompt and determined in the execution of duty, he has 
always been one of the foremost members of the Union. In¬ 
telligent, possessing superior mechanical skill and excellent 
judgment, cool and calm in the midst of danger, his services 
to the Company have been invaluable. For twenty years he 
had been its honored and efficient Chief Engineer, but on the 
4th of December, 1873, declined to be a candidate for re-elec¬ 
tion, whereupon the following resolution was unanimously 
adopted, directed to be engrossed on a card, and presented 
to Col. Thurlow: 

u Resolved, That in consideration of the long-continued and 
inestimable services of Col. Thomas Thurlow, as Chief Engi¬ 
neer of 4 The Union Steam Fire Engine and Forcing Hose 
Company, No. 1/ and in view of his having declined a re-elec¬ 
tion, the Company tender him their most earnest thanks for 


io8 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


his past services, and that he be declared Honorary Chief En¬ 
gineer of the Company , to bear that title during his life or con¬ 
nection with the Company.” 

PRESENTATION OF A SILVER WATER SERVICE TO COL. THURLOW. 

At the meeting for the election of officers on the 1st of Jan¬ 
uary, 1874, the usual routine of business was made particularly 
pleasant by an incident “not down in the bills.” President 
Slaymaker, on behalf of the Company, presented Col. Thurlow 
a handsome silver water service, and also the testimonial of 
the thanks of the Company neatly engrossed on a card. He 
referred “ briefly to the inestimable services of the Colonel to 
the Company, stating that it was due to him more than to any 
other member that the Company was enabled to purchase its 
steam fire engine, the first and best in the Fire Department of 
Lancaster.” 

No one could have been more completely surprised than 
was Col. Thurlow' himself. He had not even an inkling of 
what the Company intended doing, but modestly, briefly, and 
feelingly responded in accepting the gifts, remarking that his 
surprise was so great that it was impossible for him to express 
his gratitude as fully as he desired. It was a pleasant episode 
in the life of Col. Thurlow and the history of the Union, which 
time alone can obliterate. 

DEDICATION OF THE SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS’ MONUMENT—THE 
company’s REASONS FOR NOT PARTICIPATING. 

On the 4th of July, 1874, the chaste and beautiful Soldiers’ 
and Sailors’ Monument, in Centre Square, was dedicated and 
unveiled with imposing and interesting ceremonies. The 
Union was invited to participate, but, owing to the position 
assigned it in the line of parade, could not consistently with 
its sense of self-respect and oft-repeated claims to being the 
first in point of seniority in the Fire Department of Lancaster, 
accept the invitation. The following communication, which 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


IO9 


presented the matter in the clearest possible light, was sent to 
the Chairman of the Monumental Association by the Company: 

“ Lancaster, July 2, 1874. 

“ Hon. A. C. Reinoehl, Chairman. 

“ Dear Sir :—The invitation extended by the Committee of 
Arrangements of the Lancaster County Monumental Associa¬ 
tion to the Union Steam Fire Engine and Forcing Hose Com¬ 
pany, No. 1, of Lancaster, to participate in the ceremonies of 
the dedication and unveiling of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ 
Monument of Lancaster County, was duly received and ma¬ 
turely considered. 

“ Our Company felt, as your Committee seemed to desire, 
that ‘ The Union,’ as the parent of the Union Guards, Co. B, 
1st Pennsylvania Reserves, and having contributed to the sac¬ 
rifices of the war more of life and health than anv similar 
organization in Lancaster county, owed to the memories of 
dead members and friends a special recognition on the occa¬ 
sion to which you have invited us. 

“ The action of one of your subordinates has, however, 
placed us in such a situation that, in order to take part as' a 
Company in the procession ceremonies, we would be driven to 
a surrender of self-respect which would have been revolting 
to our dead comrades. 

“ We therefore decline to accept the position assigned us by 
the Marshal of the Fourth Division in the proposed parade on 
the 4th inst. 

“Respectfully yours, 

“ H. E. Slaymaker, President. 

“ Geo. W. Kendrick, Secretary.” 

EXCURSION TO YORK. 

On the 17th of August, 1874, the Company made an excur¬ 
sion to York, accompanied by the City Cornet Band, with Mr- 
Edwin E. Snyder as Marshal, and Messrs. Joseph C. Biggs 
and Henry Nolan as Assistants. A cordial and enthusiastic 


HO HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

reception was given them by the Fire Department of that 
borough, and they were handsomely entertained by the Laurel 
Fire Company, whose guests they were. They returned to 
Lancaster in the evening of the next day, and were escorted 
to their engine house by the Empire Hook and Ladder Com¬ 
pany. 

DEATH OF CAPT. BENJAMIN F. BAER. 

Capt. Benjamin F. Baer was the youngest son of the late 
John Baer, who was for many years an active member of the 
Union, and head of the Volksfreund printing establishment 
and book store. Capt. Baer received his education at Yale Col¬ 
lege from which noted and venerable institution he graduated 
with honor. He then entered the law office of Nathaniel E 1 L 
maker, Esq., as a student, and, before being admitted to prac¬ 
tice his profession, passed a severe but highly creditable ex¬ 
amination. He had, to use a trite expression, “ an old head 
on young shoulders.” His advice was always sound and judi¬ 
cious, and he was abundantly supplied with that inestimable 
virtue—smod common sense. This made him even a better 
counselor than advocate, although he was fluent in speech, 
spoke to the point, and always well. For the pettifoggery of 
the law he had the utmost abhorrence. He was companion¬ 
able, warm-hearted, and generous to a fault, and no one among 
the younger members of the bar had more ardent or attached 
friends. The Captain served faithfully and gallantly during 
part of the Rebellion. Of his worth, usefulness, and services 
to the Company, which were briefly but appropriately referred 
to by President Slaymaker on the occasion of his death, the 
records of the organization are full. No wonder that the 
memory of such a man is held in reverence by those of his 
fellow-members and companions who survive. 

At the time of his death, on the 19th of January, 1875, 
Capt. Baer was, and had been for several years previously, one 
of the Vice-Presidents of the Company. A special meeting 
was called, and President Slaymaker, in announcing his de- 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


1 I I 


cease, “briefly and feelingly referred to his worth, usefulness 
and services to the Company, both as an officer and member 
—in the former capacity seldom absent from his post, and in 
the latter always encouraging his comrades to do their duty.” 

Messrs. George W. Kendrick, Edwin E. Snyder, and John 
B. Markley were appointed a committee to draft resolutions 
expressive of the sense of the Company. They reported the 
following, which were unanimously adopted : 

“Whereas, It has pleased an all-wise Providence to remove 
from our numbers our late fellow-member and First Vice- 
President, B. F. Baer, Esq., whose active connection with our 
Company, and hearty participation with us on every occasion 
when called upon, will be remembered with gratitude by every 
member of the Company; therefore, be it 

“ Resolved , That the Company hereby express their sorrow, 
and deeply feel the loss of one who, as a member and officer, 
was always faithful, efficient, and devoted to the interests and 
welfare of the Company, and one who, from the many genial 
and social qualities which he possessed, had endeared himself 
in the esteem of his fellow-members. 

“ Resolved , That the Company sympathize with the family 
and friends of our late Vice-President in their bereavement, 
and, in token of our regret for his loss to us, the apparatus 
and hall of the Company be draped in mourning for thirty 
days, and a copy of these resolutions be entered upon the 
records of the Company, as well as engrossed and tendered to 
his relatives. 

“ Resolved , That, as an additional mark of esteem for his 
memory, the Company attend in a body the funeral obsequies 
of our deceased Vice-President.” 

At a subsequent meeting of the Company, held on the 22d 
of January, a beautiful and eloquent tribute to the memory of 
the deceased was read by Mr. George W. Kendrick, and 
ordered to be entered upon the records. 


I 12 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


DISTRIBUTION OF BREAD TO THE POOR. 

On the 19th of January, 1875, Messrs. G. Edvv. Hegener, 
George B. Keller, and E. E. Snyder, were appointed a com¬ 
mittee to solicit contributions to purchase five hundred loaves 
of bread for distribution among the poor. The money was 
raised in the Company, the bread purchased, and it was then 
presented to the Howard Association to be disposed of. This 
is only one of the many instances of the generosity and be¬ 
nevolence of the members of the Union. 

THE AMERICAN CENTENNIAL. 

The centennial of the anniversary of American Independ¬ 
ence, and the existence of the United States as one of the first 
nations of the earth, was commemorated in an informal way 
by the members of the Union. On the 4th of July, 1876, a 
flag and flag-staff were displayed from the top of the engine 
house. The Company, however, did not participate in the 
Centennial anniversary by the city on that day, for reasons 
similar to those given for refusing to take part in the dedica¬ 
tion ceremonies of the Soldiers’ Monument, in Centre Square, 
on the 4th of July, 1874. 

COMMEMORATION OF THE Il6TH ANNIVERSARY. 

The one hundred and sixteenth anniversary of the Com¬ 
pany was commemorated on the 14th of August, 1876, by a 
fine street parade in the evening. Mr. Edwin E. Snyder acted 
as Marshal, and Mr. J. R. Waters was his Assistant. A banquet 
was given after the parade at the hall of the Lancaster Maen- 
nerchor, at which (quoting from the minutes of the Secretary, 
Mr. George W. Kendrick), “addresses of congratulation were 
made by the President, H. E. Slaymaker, Esq.; Geo. K. Reed, 
Esq., who had been the Company’s Secretary and Treasurer 
for eighteen years, during the period liquidating our indebted¬ 
ness; Mr. E. E. Snyder, Vice-President; Maj. R. W. Shenk, 
and Mr. John A. Shober. Songs were sung by Mr. D. L. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


I 13 

Rotharmel and others, and sentiments, too, were numerous. 
An incident of the evening was the reply to this query: ‘Why 
does the Union parade alone, and not with the Fire Depart¬ 
ment?’ ‘The Union recognizes no Fire Department, but 
knowing that she holds a good hand, is able to play it alone!’ 

“The night was spent, and the ‘ we sma’ hours’ of morn 
were encroached upon, in the enjoyment of this friendly 
reunion and general indulgence of conviviality. A merry time 
was had, and so long as any participant therein survives, 
will the celebration of the 116th anniversary of the Union 
Steam Fire Engine and Forcing Hose Company, No. I, prove 
a scene of most delightful and happy remembrance.” 

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS AGAIN REVISED. 

On the 12th of April, 1877, Messrs. John A. Overdeer, Wil¬ 
liam H. Thackara, G. Edw. Hegener, William H. Clepper and 
George Shenk, a committee to revise the Constitution and 
By-Laws, made their report, and at the next meeting, on the 
8th of May, it was adopted. 



INTRODUCTION OF A HOSE CART. 

The latest innovation was the introduction of a hose cart, it 
having been decided to dispense with the hose carriage. A 
pretty and serviceable hose cart was purchased in Philadel- 
8 




























HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


I 14 

phia in August, 1878, which is now in use, and is drawn by a 
horse. The hose carriage has since been sold to the corpora¬ 
tion of the city of Gloucester, New Jersey. 

AID FOR THE YELLOW FEVER SUFFERERS. 

At a meeting on the 30th of August, 1878, President Slay- 
maker “ stated that he had a matter to bring to the attention 
of the Company. He said that as a number of societies were 
giving aid to the sufferers from yellow fever in the South, he 
thought that it would be well for the Union to take the lead of 
the fire companies in this, as in everything else.” The mem¬ 
bers contributed liberally, and the money was placed in the 
hands of Mayor MacGonigle for proper distribution. 

PRESENTATION OF A SILVER TEA SET TO PRESIDENT SLAY- 
MAKER ON HIS FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY. 

Capt. Henry E. Slay maker has been for twenty-three con¬ 
secutive years President of the Union Fire Company, a longer 
period than filled by any other gentleman except his revered 
grandfather, the late Adam Reigart, who occupied the position 
for thirty-one years, from 1813 to 1844. It would be super¬ 
fluous to speak a word in praise of such a man as Capt. Slay- 
maker. His long connection with the Company; the work, 
in and out of season, he has performed in its service; his 
Presidency of the organization for nearly a quarter of a cen¬ 
tury ; his influential career as a business man, prominence as a 
•citizen, and the responsible positions he has filled with credit 
to himself and the best interests of the community in which 
he was reared and has resided nearly all his life, are sufficient 
evidence of his character, activity, and enterprise. Long may 
he continue to adorn the position which he has so ably, impar¬ 
tially, and acceptably filled. 

Unknown to Capt. Slaymaker, the members of the Company 
held a meeting on the 13th of October, 1878, to take action 
on the selection of a suitable testimonial to the President on 



i 

E. E. SNYDER, 

VICE-PRESIDENT FROM 1873 TO 1879. 
















































































UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


115 

the anniversary of his fiftieth birthday, October 26, 1878. On 
motion of Mr. William H. Thackara, Mr. J. L. Lyte was called 
to the chair, and Mr. G. Byron Cummings was chosen Sec¬ 
retary. After remarks by several members, Col. Thurlow 
moved that a committee of five, Mr. Lyte as chairman, be ap¬ 
pointed to purchase a silver tea set, and make the necessary 
arrangements for its presentation to the President. The mo¬ 
tion was adopted, and the committee consisted of Messrs. J. L. 
Lyte, Thomas Thurlow, William H. Thackara, Frank Spicer, 
and G. Byron Cummings. What follows is mainly taken from 
a notice of this interesting affair, which appeared in the Daily 
Examiner and Express of October 28. 

On Saturday evening, October 26, the members met 
promptly at the engine house, and after reading a letter from 
Mr. George W. Kendrick, ex-Secretary, regretting his inability 
to be present, and selecting Mr. Edwin E. Snyder as Mar¬ 
shal, accompanied by the City Cornet Band, marched to the 
residence of the President, corner of Duke and Chestnut 
streets. After a serenade by the band, one of the older mem¬ 
bers preceded the others into the house, and while the band 
was performing another air, he left the parlor in company 
with Miss Slaymaker, and the tea set was handed in at one of 
the windows in the rear of the house, and arranged on the 
dining-room table. Each piece of the set was decorated with 
a small bow of green ribbon, the Union’s color, and it pre¬ 
sented a pretty appearance. After music by the band, the 
members marched into the house, where they were met and 
welcomed by Capt. Slaymaker, they congratulating him on the 
half hundred years he numbered. 

Proceeding to the dining-room, the members arranged them¬ 
selves around the table, and President Slaymaker was escorted 
into their midst. Mr. Lyte, addressed him as follows: 

“You have been a member of the Union Fire Company for 
a long time, and for many years have been its honored Presi¬ 
dent. It is not necessary for me to state that the members 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


I 16 

appreciate your services, as your continued re-election to the 
highest office in the gift of the Company shows that for itself. 
But the members desired to show their respect in some more 
substantial manner than your re-election to the office of Presi¬ 
dent, and have selected this time, your fiftieth birthday, to do 
it. Allow me, then, as a testimonial of our appreciation of 
your long and continued interest in the welfare of the Union, 
to present you with this tea set.” 

Capt. Slaymaker was taken so much by surprise, that it was 
with difficulty he restrained his emotions. Briefly, but feel¬ 
ingly, he expressed his thanks for the testimonial and the visit 
of his fellow-members, and then invited all to partake of his 
hospitality. 

The Company subsequently proceeded to the parlor, and 
Miss Sue Slaymaker, the youngest daughter of the President, 
favored them by performing several selections upon the piano. 
Mr. Weber, a member of the band, executed a cornet solo, 
and Mr. D. L. Rotharmel sang “ Our President” and “The 
Green Cart,” two songs composed for the occasion. The 
members then bade Capt. Slaymaker and his family good 
night, and marched back to the engine house. So well did 
they enjoy the occasion, that some of them were discussing 
what they should present to their President when he got to be 
one hundred years old. Upon arriving at the engine house, 
three cheers were given for the President and the Union, and 
the members then separated. Among those in attendance 
were Messrs. Charles A. Heinitsh and George K. Reed, the 
only members present who belonged to the Union when Capt. 
Slaymaker became a member of the organization. 

The tea set is expensively and handsomely gotten up. On 
each of the pieces is an old English S, and upon the urn is the 
following inscription: “ H. E. Slaymaker, Esq., President 
Union S. F. E. and F. H. Co., No. I, Lancaster, Pa. From the 
Members on his Fiftieth Birthday.” 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


II 7 


THE FIRES OF 1878. 

In the report of the Company’s Board of Engineers and 
Hose Directors, made at the annual meeting on the 9th of 
January, 1879, it i s stated that the number of fires during 
1878 was 41; total loss, $26,175; insurance, $67,675. The 
hose was in service ten times, the engine ten hours. The 
engine was run to fires twenty-seven times since March 1, at a 
cost of $81 for horse hire. The hose cart was run twelve 
times, at a cost of $18; total cost of horse hire, $99. 

FIRES SINCE 1867. 

Unfortunately no record was made of the fires in the 
borough and city during the early history of the Company, 
and but very little said of the work done by the first engine, 
the gallery engine, the suction engine, or even the steam 
engine. The record of these fires, as full as it could be ob¬ 
tained, has been gleaned from other sources. Since February, 
1867, a record has been kept by the Board of Engineers of 
the Company, the first minutes of which were made by the 
late James R. Patterson, Esq., Secretary of the Board. From 
this record has been gathered the following statistics: Num¬ 
ber of fires and alarms from February, 1867, to February, 
1879, 146; number of times the engine and hose carriage 
were in service, 125; number of hours actually engaged, 161; 
total loss, $377,622; amount of insurance, $187,720; accidents 
to members, 3. 


FIRES IN THE OLDEN TIME. 

The first great fire of which tradition gives any account was 
that of the first Court House, which stood in Centre Square, 
upon the site of the second building, noticed elsewhere. It 
was a small brick structure, surmounted by a spire, containing 
a clock having two faces, one facing north and the other 
south. There was a brick floor in the court room. The fol¬ 
lowing letter describing the fire, which occurred in the begin- 


I 1 8 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

ning of June, 1784, was written by John Hubley, Esq., then 
Prothonotary of Lancaster county, and one of the earliest 
active members of the Union : 

“ Lancaster, June nth, 1784. 

“ Honored Sir : It is likely before now you have heard that 
the Court House in this place has been entirely consumed by 
fire. I received this disagreeable account on my way to Lan¬ 
caster from your city, and from anything that I can collect 
here, I find that all is guess-work how this affair happened. 

“ The house underwent some repairs this summer, and the 
plasterers were at work; a quantity of lime was put up in the 
inside for that purpose, to secure it from the weather. Some 
suppose the lime set it on fire—others suppose that a clock- 
maker, who was conducting the weights of the clock in a 
different channel from that formerly run in, used some fire and 
was negligent—and many conjecture that it was wickedly set 
fire to by some unknown villain; so that the affair remains as 
yet in the dark. Happily it is for this place that the mischief 
has ended with the loss of the Court House only, as a strong 
southwest wind was blowing and carried the fire in great 
quantities over a great part of the northeast part of the town ; 
and although the Calvinist meeting-house, which stands at a 
considerable distance from the Court House, and several other 
buildings, took fire, yet it was happily extinguished without 
much damage. I thought that this affair might be confusedly 
reported in the city, therefore I have given you such informa¬ 
tion as I could collect in the few hours I have arrived here. 

“ I am, sir, with the utmost respect, 

“Your very humble servant, 

“John Hubley. 

“ His Excellency, John Dickinson, President of the State of 
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.” 

It was in this building that the conference took place and a 
treaty was made between the Governors of Pennsylvania, 
Maryland, Virginia, and New York, and the representatives of 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


I I 9 

several Indian tribes. This was in 1744. In 1774-75-76, the 
citizens met here to resist the encroachments of Great Britain; 
and on the 4th of July, 1776, while the Declaration of Inde¬ 
pendence was being signed in Philadelphia, a convention of 
the Pennsylvania militia was in session, in the old Court 
House, for the better organization of the military and protec¬ 
tion of the colony’s interests. During the Revolution, it was 
the head-quarters of the patriotic citizens of Lancaster, who 
frequently met to devise ways and means for the further¬ 
ance of the cause; and when the Independence of the United 
States was acknowledged, in 1783, a grand celebration in com¬ 
memoration of the event was had in this building. 

The second fire of note occurred on the night of the 1st of 
March, 1811, and it was one that has rarely been equaled 
since, at least in extent. It burned from what is now the 
Franklin House, in North Queen street, down to Shober’s 
corner, and through to what is now Market street, sweeping 
everything away in nearly half a block. The Lane aster 
Journal , of March 8, gives the following account of this de¬ 
structive fire: 

“ About midnight on Friday last, March 1, the citizens of this 
borough were alarmed by the cry of fire. It broke out in the 
back building of Mr. Phi]ip Klein, on North Queen street, and 
before the progress of the flames could be stopped, four dwell¬ 
ing houses, a blacksmith shop, a barn and other buildings 
were burned. 

“ 1. The two-story stone house, at the northwest corner of 
Orange street and North Queen—the property of Mr. Peter 
Shindel, with some personal property belonging to his son. 

“ 2. The adjoining two-story brick house and printing office 
of Mr. William Dickson [the old Lancaster Intelligencer^ to¬ 
gether with many books, a quantity of paper, part of his print¬ 
ing materials and household furniture. 

“ 3. The dwelling house adjoining to Mr. Philip Klein, with 
a smith shop, some working tools, a barn, a horse and a cow. 


120 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


“4. The tavern house belonging to Mr. John Hatz, kept by 
Mr. George Koenig. Mr. Koenig lost his liquors in his cellar, 
many other articles, and several hundred dollars in cash. 

“ Mr. Frederick Klein, who had lately commenced business 
as a victualler, lost two horses, some hogs, and almost every¬ 
thing he possessed. 

“ Several others suffered by this most distressing calamity. 
We have not obtained a particular list. 

“ The sorry condition of some of the engines did no credit 
to the borough, nor was the spirit and activity of many of the 
citizens as we have seen it on former occasions. There were 
too many commanders —which at least produced confusion in 
obedience . 

“ The gentlemen of the Legislature generally exerted them¬ 
selves with a zeal that did them honor, and justly entitles 
them to the gratitude of the inhabitants of Lancaster. 

“The alarm of fire not having been given until the flames 
had made considerable progress, shows that there is something 
required from the police .” 

Although published a week after the fire occurred, the 
Journal states that it had “ not obtained a particular list of 
several others who suffered by this most distressing calamity.” 
What kind of enterprise would that be considered, in these days 
of lightning presses, telegraphs, etc.? Think of the wide¬ 
awake dailies of Lancaster framing such an excuse for not 
giving the fullest particulars of a fire, even up to the hour of 
going to press. What sort of support would they have ? 
Would they not be classed as “Rip Van Winkle” journals, 
and their readers and patrons be, like angels’ visits, “ few and 
far between?” The world moves, and dull, plodding, heavy 
stage-coach newspapers are, or ought to be, “among the things 
that were.” 

A venerable gentleman of Lancaster, who was an eye-wit¬ 
ness of this fire, states that the old First Reformed Church, a 
rough-cast building, in East Orange street, was on fire several 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


121 


times, and was only saved from destruction by the strenuous 
efforts of the firemen and citizens. He relates, too, that after 
the fire, scorched scraps of paper from Mr. Dickson’s print¬ 
ing office were found near the village of Strasburg. This 
shows that a strong current of wind must have been prevail¬ 
ing at the time. Among the most active firemen were Mr. 
William P. Atlee, father of Dr. John L. Atlee, Sr., and Col. 
Moser, who had long poles and kept the ranks formed and in 
order. Col. Moser was particularly strict, even “ poling ” the 
lookers-on into the service, and making them help pass the 
buckets to and fro. The women, also, lent a helping hand, 
and rendered efficient service. 

The third great fire in the history of the city occurred on 
the 18th of October, 1825. It caught in the livery stable of 
the late Mr. William C. Hull, at the corner of West King and 
Water streets, and before the fire could be subdued, half a 
block of buildings were burned, belonging to Mr. Hull, the 
late Mr. Jacob Frey, and the late Mr. Jacob Lindley. The 
old jail was in imminent danger, and the bark-house of the 
tannery of the late Mr. George H. Krug, the present site of 
the Stevens House, was several times on fire. The Lancaster 
Journal , of October 21, has a brief account of the fire, in which 
it says : 

“ Great and praiseworthy exertions were made by the cit¬ 
izens to arrest the progress of the flames, but unfortunately 
the scarcity of water very much retarded their efforts. A 
number of gentlemen of Marietta, Maytown, Columbia, and 
from other parts of the county, exerted themselves with a zeal 
which justly entitles them to the gratitude of the inhabitants 
of Lancaster.” 

The few yet living who have a remembrance of the Dickson 
and Frey fires, give due praise and credit to the Union mem¬ 
bers, who turned out strongly at both with their buckets, 
bags, baskets, ladders, etc., and worked well and faithfully. 


122 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


THE FIRES OF LESS THAN HALF A CENTURY AGO. 

The fires in the early part of the last half century were 
numerous, and some quite destructive. A record of those from 
1832 to and including 1838, was found in a diary kept by the 
late Mr. Jacob Long, in which everything of interest happening 
in the city from 1829 to 1856, when he died, is noted. This 
was kindly placed at the writer’s disposal by his son, Mr. J. M. 
Long. From this, and data furnished by Mr. Reuben A. Baer, 
of the Volksfrennd, he has been enabled to give some account 
of the fires which took place between the years mentioned. 

In the evening of October 22, 1832, the distillery belonging 
to the late George King, at the northwest corner of Ann and 
Orange streets, took fire, and was destroyed with its contents. 
The hogsheads burst, and the whisky on fire ran down the 
gutters. 

Late in the evening of November 1, 1832, the stage barn 
belonging to Samuel R. Slaymaker & Co., at the northeast 
corner of Duke and Chestnut streets, now the site of Blicken- 
derfer’s foundry, took fire, and was totally destroyed. In 
what was called “ the hospital ” were eleven horses, and these 
were burned to death. The sound horses were all got out 
safely. Some of the poor animals with their manes and tails 
on fire ran down the streets. An old citizen relates that for 
years before this fire took place, the hostlers were in the habit 
of placing lighted candles in bundles of straw, or melting a 
little of the tallow and sticking them on the posts. It is 
hardly likely that such carelessness or neglect would be per¬ 
mitted now. 

On the night of the 14th of January, 1836, what was called 
the Armstrong or Wentz fire occurred. It was an incendiary’s 
work. It broke out in Nauman’s livery stable, at the corner 
of East Orange and Christian streets. The stable and adjoin¬ 
ing dwelling house were destroyed. 

At 6 o’clock in the morning of the 23d of January, 1836, 
a stable belonging to the late James Evans, Esq., caught fire. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


123 


This was known as the Hall or Buchanan fire, and the stable 
was located in the rear of what is now the Lancaster County 
National Bank. It was a bitter cold morning, the clothes on 
the firemen were frozen fast, and it was with the greatest diffi¬ 
culty the flames could be got out. As this was another 
incendiary fire, a meeting of citizens was held in the evening, 
at which patrols were appointed, and every effort made to 
properly guard and protect the town. 

Lagan’s stable, on Vine street, was destroyed by fire on the 
evening of April 11, 1837, and two horses were burned. 

A stable belonging to the late Dr. Peter Bier, in the rear of 
his lot, on West King street, was burned on Sunday evening, 
April 16, 1837. 

A fire which destroyed Diffenbach’s stable, in Trinity alley, 
near Trinity Lutheran Church, on Sunday afternoon, Decem¬ 
ber 3, 1837, greatly endangered the church, which was saved 
by the utmost exertions of the firemen. Demuth’s snuff 
manufactory was also in imminent danger. This establish¬ 
ment has been in existence since 1770. It was started by and 
still remains in the Demuth family. 

The stable of the late Miss Catharine Yeates, in the alley in 
the rear of South Queen street, was burned on the evening of 
December 27, 1837. 

Kuhn’s stable, in the rear of West King street, near the 
present Cross Keys Hotel, was burned on the evening of Feb¬ 
ruary 1, 1838. 

May 30, 1838, the first large fire after the erection of the 
water-works took place. It broke out in the evening, in the 
stable of the late Mrs. Hoff, in the alley in the rear of what is 
now Hiestand’s Cooper House, on West King street, and it 
with five other stables were burned. These belonged to the 
late William Cooper, the late Dr. F. A. Muhlenberg, the late 
George Ford, and the late Dr. Samuel Fahnestock. At this 
fire, the great value and utility of the water-works were demon¬ 
strated, and much valuable property was saved in consequence. 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


I 24 

On the night of June 20, 1838, two one-story frame houses, 
belonging to the late John Martin, father of the present pro¬ 
prietor of the Relay House, on West Walnut street near 
Prince, were burned. These houses were occupied respect¬ 
ively by a man named John Landis and a Mr. Rook. Mr. 
Landis and his wife were so much frightened and bewildered, 
that they forgot their two children, who were asleep up-stairs, 
and they perished in the flames. 

On Sunday, the 19th of March, 1843, the Sunday-school 
building of St. James’ Episcopal Church, on North Duke 
street, was destroyed by fire. The alarm was given at 4 
o’clock in the morning. It originated in an adjoining building, 
occupied by Mr. George Maurer. The Sunday-school was a 
two-storied frame structure. The weather was intensely cold, 
and the firemen were only able to resist the spread of the fire 
by the most strenuous efforts. Two days before (St. Patrick’s 
day) one of the deepest snows of the winter occurred. On a 
level the snow was from eighteen inches to two feet deep. In 
some of the deep cuts on the Columbia and Philadelphia Rail¬ 
road (then owned by the State, now under the control of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company), it drifted to the depth of 
twenty feet. The streets were in such a condition that the 
Union engine had to be hauled to the fire by four horses, be¬ 
longing to the late Sheriff Ehler, and which were in the stables 
attached to the old prison. 

THE FIRES IN LATER YEARS. 

Within the past twenty-five years, more especially the last 
twelve or fifteen years, the most disastrous fires have occurred, 
and the greatest losses resulted. This can be accounted for 
from the fact that the buildings are higher, larger, and more 
compactly built, particularly in the business portions of the 
town. One thing has been clearly demonstrated—that is, the 
superiority of suction and steam fire engines (the Union suc¬ 
tion and steamer for instance) over the old hand and gallery 




J. L. LYTE, 

VICE-PRESIDENT, 1 879. 














UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


125 


engines, which with the firemen’s “ bags, buckets, and baskets,” 
would have been of little, if any, account. In these days of 
machinery for performing all sorts of manual labor, men are 
not to be had who will stand at the brakes, and even to the 
inspiring words of “Hi, hi,” “Sock her down, laddies,” and 
“ Make her touch, boys,” do the exhausting work of hours 
that is accomplished now in a few r minutes. A few of these 
fires are herewith noted, in which the suction and steam 
engines of the Union played a conspicuous part. 

A fire broke out in the foundry of ex-Mayor Keiffer, in 
West Chestnut street, in the evening of the 17th of February, 
1858. The building was almost entirely destroyed, and val¬ 
uable machinery and patterns rendered worthless, entailing a 
loss of $40,000, upon which there was an insurance of only 
$13,000. The Union suction engine was mainly instrumental 
in saving the surrounding buildings. The weather was ex¬ 
tremely cold, several of the fire-plugs were frozen shut, and it 
was necessary to collect the refuse water from the gutters to 
supply the engine. Col. Thurlow, then chief engineer of the 
Company, improvised a dam from a heap of manure from 
Reese’s livery stables on Market street, and in this way water 
was gathered. From this the engine sucked sufficient water to 
throw two streams. The Daily Express , of February 18th, 
says : 

“ The Union suction engine gave a striking illustration of 
its utility in the economy of water. Being stationed in the 
alley between the machine shops and the warehouse, where a 
large quantity of waste water was flowing down, it was arrested 
by a breastwork of manure, and used to supply the engine 
through the suction hose, an arrangement which worked most 
satisfactorily.” 

There was considerable delay on the part of the firemen in 
getting to work, owing to the meagre supply of water, and the 
frozen condition of the fire-plugs. The Express , of the same 
date, also says : 


126 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


“ The plug on the corner of West Orange and Market 
streets was finally opened with boiling water and a chisel, and 
an additional stream thrown into the Union suction engine, 
enabling that machine to do effective work.” 

At a subsequent fire in the stables in the rear of Hostetter’s 
Black Horse Hotel, North Queen street, the Union suction 
engine saved Russel’s (now Kepler and Slaymaker’s) large 
hardware establishment from destruction. 

On the night of June 16, 1866, the engine-room in No. 2 
Cotton Mill, South Prince street, was discovered to be on fire. 
The great value of a steam fire engine over all other kinds was 
fully shown at this fire. Before this time it was thought to be 
a piece of wasteful extravagance for the Union to have pur¬ 
chased a steamer, which, as some sneeringly remarked, was 
“ like having a fifth wheel to a wagon.” Considerable damage 
was done in the engine-room, but the huge mill and valuable 
machinery were saved, and saved only, by the Union steamer, 
which played through a stretch of 600 feet of hose. This set¬ 
tled the question in reference to steamers, and all the compa¬ 
nies in the city now have steam fire engines except the Empire 
Hook and Ladder. 

Between 2 and 3 o’clock, on the morning of Sunday, 
January 20, 1867, the Inquirer printing office, then located on 
Christian street, in the rear of Maj. J. Rohrer’s liquor store, 
was discovered to be on fire. It was an intensely cold night, 
the water froze in the hose, and the most the firemen could do 
was to save the surrounding property. The Daily Express , of 
the next day, has the following notice of the services rendered 
by the firemen: 

“ The American engine was the first on the ground, and 
rendered good service. The Union steam fire engine also 
arrived immediately after the alarm was sounded, and kept 
two streams of water on the fire until it was extinguished 
The Friendship steam fire engine [which had only been 
received on the 1st of January preceding] was on hand, but 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


i ay- 


one of the pistons breaking, she could not render any service. 
All the other fire companies were present with their appa¬ 
ratuses, but could give no assistance in extinguishing the fire, 
on account of the water freezing in their hose.” 

Mr. Wylie’s loss was $14,000, on which there was an insur¬ 
ance of $8,000. The office was re built on the same site, but 
subsequently ground was purchased on North Queen street 
near Orange, and the present extensive Inquirer establishment 
was erected thereon. 

At 6 y^ o’clock, in the morning of January 31, 1867, an 
alarm of fire was given. It was found to be at St. Mary’s 
Catholic Church, West Vine street. The fire caught from one 
of the heaters, and the floor of the massive and elegant edifice, 
the fine organ, walls, and altar furniture, were much damaged. 
The Union steamer was the first to arrive, and had two 
streams in full play upon the building. The building was 
saved, but it required an outlay of $20,000 to repair and 
restore it to its former condition. 

Just after midnight on the 10th of August, 1870, a thunder 
storm visited Lancaster. For violence and continued vivid 
flashes of lightning, it has rarely been equaled in this vicinity. 
The residence of Mrs. Patrick Kelly, at the corner of East 
Orange and Shippen streets, was struck by lightning. This 
is one of the oldest and best built houses in the city. Over the 
front door is still to be seen a sun-dial, which correctly tells 
the time of day. The roof was set fire to, and much damage 
done before the flames could be subdued. The outer roof is 
of slate, which were placed upon a roof of shingles. The fire 
was communicated to the shingles, and, the ceiling being 
plastered, it was difficult to reach it with water. The firemen 
were promptly on the ground, though some delay was occa¬ 
sioned in applying water to the building, the nearest plug 
affording no supply. The Union took a plug on Shippen 
between Orange and East King, which the residents of the 
vicinity advised them not to attach to, because they had not 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


I 28 

been able to draw any water from their hydrants for six 
weeks previously, and the plug was then dry. The American 
secured the plug at the corner of Orange and Shippen, in front 
of the residence of Mr. Michael Malone. The Union was the 
only engine able to obtain water, it making a vacuum in the 
pipes, and a stream was at once had, sufficient at least to 
be of service in extinguishing the fire. This is another in¬ 
stance of the superiority of this over other steamers. Several 
hours were spent in hard work, so stubbornly did the flames 
resist the efforts of the firemen to reach them. Beside the 
roof, no part of the building was injured, though some dam¬ 
age was done by the flooding of the house, in consequence of 
the length of time required to keep streams of water on the 
roof. The discovery of the fire was made before the flames 
had made any considerable headway. Mrs. Kelly and her 
daughter, who were asleep in an upper chamber of the back 
building, were awakened by a sulphurous smell in their room, 
when Mrs. Kelly got up and went down-stairs, where she 
found the doors of the pantry open, and several dishes lying 
on the floor. She next observed several flower-pots, which 
had been on the mantel-piece, also lying on the floor. Upon 
still further examination, fire was seen issuing from near the 
comb of the roof, on the west side of the house, and an alarm 
was immediately given. The building was provided with a 
lightning-rod, erected about thirty years ago, but at the time 
of the fire it extended only from the top to the middle of the 
second story, the lower part being entirely gone. An aperture, 
just above the door bell in the dining-room is still shown as 
one of the effects of the lightning. 

On the night of Friday, November 19, 1870, between 9 and 
10 o’clock, the Conestoga Cork Factory, in the alley in the 
rear of what was then the Express building, in South Queen 
street, caught fire, and the building and its contents were 
entirely destroyed. The following extracts from the minutes 
of the Union’s Board of Engineers give a graphic description 
of the fire and the accidents to several firemen : 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


129 


“By midnight the fire was so far conquered that further 
danger was not apprehended; but two streams of the Union 
were kept on all night to prevent the smouldering ruins 
which frequently burst into flames, from doing further damage, 
and one stream all the next day, until 5 o’clock. 

“In the evening, about 7 o’clock, the flames again burst out 
in the rear part of the building, but the firemen were quickly 
on hand and subdued them. 

“About an hour after the fire had been under way, on Satur¬ 
day night, the wall fronting on the alley and the west side wall 
fell out, the former injuring four firemen. Following are the 
injured: 

“ William Leonard, aged 26, member of the American, was 
cut and bruised severely about the head, neck and shoulders. 
His right hand and arm were badly scalded by the steam gen¬ 
erated by the fire, and which shot out when the wall fell. 
Wounds severe and painful, but not fatal. 

“ J acob Price, aged 20, member of the American, was severely 
cut, bruised and scalded over the entire body. There is also 
a severe bruise on left knee, and both bones of right leg 
broken above the ankle. 

“ Jeremiah Reitzel, aged 28, member of the Sun, had his 
skull fractured, right leg fractured between the knee and 
ankle, and badly burned and scalded on the back. 

“ Reuben Rohrer, aged about 22, member of the American,, 
a severe concussion of the brain, and somewhat bruised and, 
scalded about the body and limbs.” 

The Daily Express , in complimenting the firemen, thus- 
specially notices the Union: 

“ The proprietors of the Express hereby tender their heart¬ 
felt thanks to the entire department for saving their property 
from the most imminent danger, and heartily condole with the 
unfortunate firemen who were injured in their self-sacrificing 
efforts. Our thanks are especially due to the Union Fire 
Company, under the direction of their President, H. E. Slay- 

9 


1 3 o 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


maker, who, being the nearest company, took charge of the 
ruins during the night and day following.” 

A further test of the superiority of the Union over other 
steamers, was shown at a fire on the evening of the 23d of 
November, 1870. A large frame stable belonging to Shulmyer 
& Finger, on Frederick street, between North Oueen and 
Prince, was burned. The water supply being short, and the 
fire in an elevated part of the city, little water was to be had. 
The Washington and Friendship arrived on the ground ahead 
of the Union, owing to a long freight train passing over North 
Queen street at the time. The former companies got to work, 
but could not get more than fifteen to twenty pounds water 
pressure. The Union took a plug below, and, as soon as the 
steamer started, took all the water from them, having sixty to 
seventy pounds water pressure. The Washington and Friend¬ 
ship were obliged to stop, as they could not get water enough 
to supply their boilers. 

About 10 o’clock, in the morning of April 21, 1876, Mayor 
Stauffer received a telegram from Columbia, stating that a large 
fire was raging there, and asking for assistance. The Union 
and Washington engines were dispatched, and arrived at 
Columbia at 11 o’clock. When they reached Columbia, the 
fire was pretty well under control, but the engines were put 
into service immediately. The Union played two streams 
for an hour, when it was deemed advisable to stop, as the 
engine had blown out the packing, and one of the valves was 
out of place. The fire was now nearly extinguished, but the 
Union hose was used for some time after by the Columbia and 
Vigilant of Columbia, and the Washington of Lancaster. The 
engine was in charge of Mr. G. Byron Cummings, the Com¬ 
pany’s Chief Engineer. 

The afternoon of the 8th of May was selected by the Fire 
• Committee of the City Councils and the Chief and Assistant 
Engineers of the Fire Department, for the inspection of the 
Tire apparatuses. The Union was first visited, and everything 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. I 3 I 

found in good condition. The engine made five pounds of 
steam in five and a half minutes. 

About midnight of January 9, 1877, a fire was discovered in 
the tea store of Hunter Bros., East King street, near Centre 
Square. There had been a heavy fall of snow, and much diffi¬ 
culty was experienced in getting the engines to the fire. All 
the fire plugs in the vicinity were frozen shut, and considerable 
time was lost in getting them thawed out. The firemen 
worked heroically, but to great disadvantage, as the water 
froze constantly in their hose. Three business houses were 
burned—the first occupied by Messrs. Hunter, and Mr. H. H. 
Hesslet, hatter; the second by High & Stirk, china and glass¬ 
ware; and the third by Foose & Stirk, house furnishing goods. 
The large clothing house of Myers & Rathfon was also slightly 
damaged by water. The loss was $20,000, which was fully 
covered by insurance. The Union steamer did splendid execu¬ 
tion at this fire. 

The last fire at which the Union was of signal service, 
occurred early in the morning of the 5th of January, 1879. It 
took place in the double three-storied brick structure known 
as the Diffenderfer building, Nos. 57 and 59 North Queen 
street, and was occupied by Hirsh’s clothing store, Westhaef- 
fer’s book store, Killian’s paint shop, Harris’s billiard saloon, 
and Berner Bros.’ picture frame manufactory. The weather 
was of the coldest of the recent cold weather, and but few 
firemen or citizens were present. The water froze as fast as 
it issued from the hose, the front of the burning and adjoining 
buildings and the streets in the immediate vicinity being a 
sheet of ice. The Daily Intelligencer , in noticing the exer¬ 
tions of the firemen, says: 

“ During the fire the Washington steamer became disabled 
by the breaking of a part of its machinery, and had to retire. 
The Friendship, which had on the first water, was sent home 
about daybreak, being frozen up. The American, which was 
among the first to arrive at the fire, was sent home about 


132 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


sunrise, it being then thought that the fire was out. As the 
flames broke out afterward, the Union remained in service 
until 9 o’clock.” 


INCIDENTS OF THE PAST. 

“Variety is the spice of life.” This Historical Sketch would 
hardly be complete without the recital of some incidents con¬ 
nected with the fires which have occurred in the past. These 
are not familiar to the people of the present generation, but are 
interesting nevertheless. They are also amusing, and will 
doubtless serve as a relish, a sort of piquant sauce, after having 
read many of the matter-of-fact details which have preceded. 
They have been mostly gathered from the reminiscences of 
several old citizens. Upon memory’s shelf they have lain 
away for years, and are now published for the first time. 

As a preface to these incidents, a communication from the 
Lancaster Journal , of February 15, 1811, is inserted. It is as 
follows : 

“Mr. Hamilton: There was an alarm of fire last evening, 
which, as a thing of course, made me inquire how the people 
of this borough were prepared to meet such an event. 

“‘ Have you any engines?’ 

“‘Yes, we have four of them.’ 

“‘Very well. Have you a sufficient quantity of buckets, 
ladders, fire-hooks, etc. ?’ 

“‘Yes. We have four or five companies, as many ladders, 
and I believe as many hooks. Some of these companies are 
large, and every member of a fire company is provided with at 
least two buckets.’ 

“ ‘ Have you any hose ?” 

“‘No.’ 

“‘No hose! Is it possible? In a place so compactly built, 
and so many deep back buildings, where, in many instances 
your engines cannot act with advantage on the fire!’ 

“Mr. Hamilton: I would advise the people of this place (if 





G. EDW. HEGENER, 

SECRETARY FROM 1 877 TO 1 879. 













UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. I 33 

I could possibly think they were not able to buy some hose) 
to sell two of their engines, and supply themselves with hose. 

“Except the fire would break out in several places at once, 
you could do more execution with two engines, supplied with 
20 or 30 yards of hose, than half a dozen of bare engines. 
Perhaps some think hose is only useful in Philadelphia, and 
places similarly situated for water. But this is not the case. 
Unscrew the tube of your engine, and on the other end of the 
hose screw the tube, and go as near to the fire as the case will 
admit, and you will, with one-half or one-fourth of the water, 
time and labor, subdue the dangerous element. 

“A Stranger. 

“ N. B. The reason that the utility of this plan has not been 
observed by somebody or other before, is, perhaps, owing to 
the proverb, ‘ Everybody’s business is nobody’s’—but as I am 
one of those despised beings called a bachelor, and in easy 
circumstances, I have therefore time to think of what is called 
‘everybody’s business,’ and much good may it do you.’’ 

“Twenty or thirty yards of hose!’’ That will create a broad 
smile upon the faces of the firemen of the present day. The 
directions of “A Stranger” how to unscrew the tube of the 
engine, screw the tube upon the other end, “and go as near to 
the fire as the case will admit,” must excite the risibilities of 
those who know nothing but of the workings of a steam en¬ 
gine. “A Stranger” was in advance of his time—that was all. 
Hose and fire-plugs were not known or thought of in Lan¬ 
caster until a quarter of a century afterward. “Twenty or 
thirty yards of hose!” It reads like a burlesque, especially 
when the fact is placed in juxtaposition that the Union to-day 
alone possesses more than a thousand feet of the latest im¬ 
proved and most serviceable hose. 

At the Dickson or Klein fire, on March I, 1811, it is related 
that Governor Snyder (Lancaster was then the Capital of the 
State) was one of the first awakened by the cry of fire, and. 
getting up, hastily dressed himself, rushed out of the house 


✓ 


134 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


with an old-fashioned lantern in his hand, and rapped up his 
neighbors to render assistance. The Governor lived in the 
comfortable, spacious stone mansion, now owned and occupied 
by Dr. John L. Atlee, Sr., opposite to St. James’s Episcopal 
Church. 

A venerable lady, considerably more than four score 
years of age, a near relative of a gentleman who lived in an 
adjoining house to the burning buildings, told the writer that 
the members of the Legislature were among the first at this 
fire, assisting manfully, helping to remove the furniture, and 
saving the property of her relative from destruction, and pleas¬ 
antly, even gratefully, remarked, “ they were such nice men.” 
How the members got to the fire so early, and were of so 
much assistance, may be inferred from what another old citi¬ 
zen tells. They were playing cards in their chambers in the 
old Michael Hotel (now Stott’s), on North Queen street. 
This is a sinful amusement which legislators of the present 
day would hardly indulge in. “ With charity for all, and mal¬ 
ice toward none,” let us liken them unto Caesar’s wife—“pure 
a nd above suspicion.” 

Away back, in the time of the second war with England, 
on one occasion, a fire broke out in the chimney of the resi¬ 
dence of the late James Hopkins, Esq., a member of the Union, 
which stood upon the site of the present Court House. A 
middle-aged man, who had been a sailor, went upon the roof 
(in the language of the gentleman who related the incident, 
“ crawling up as nimbly as a cat”), and extinguished the fire 
with a bucket or two of water, without calling into requisition 
the “ buckets, bags, and baskets ” of his fellow-firemen. This 
man was subsequently hung as a pirate. About this time 
quite a number of young men left Lancaster for the purpose 
of becoming privateers to prey upon the commerce of Eng¬ 
land. From one step to another, they became pirates, and 
the end of at least two of them was an ignominious death. 
This incident is familiar only to a few persons of the present 
day, but it is reliable in every respect. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


135 


Many years ago, a prominent citizen of Lancaster tone of 
those men, however, who had “kinks in his head”) stated to 
another equally prominent citizen, that he had an idea how to 
prevent the spreading of fires. It was this: To place an ice 
house at each corner of the Court House, in which should be 
stored huge blocks of ice. When a fire occurred, there 
should be persons detailed to carry these blocks of ice to the 
surrounding buildings, place them on the roofs, and thereby 
prevent them from taking fire. The other gentleman listened 
patiently to the suggestion of his friend, and then remarked : 
“ Yes, that is a capital idea ; but it will require the houses to 
take fire, and burn down, before the ice will melt.” This had 
not been thought of by the originator of the theory, and, as a 
matter of course, it was never carried into practice. 

During the alarm of fire caused by the burning of the old 
stage barn, November I, 1832, a lady was roused up, and, pick¬ 
ing up her infant who was asleep by her side, in her haste and 
confusion not taking time to dress, ran in her night clothes 
all the way from her residence, in West Orange street, near 
Charlotte, to East Chestnut street, near the fire, where her 
sister resided. Fortunately, no ill results followed this rash 
step. The lady is still alive, hale and hearty. Her infant is a 
stalwart man, and a prominent master builder of Lancaster. 

There are few who do not remember John Michael, pro¬ 
prietor of “ The Grapes,” North Queen street. He was a 
quiet, gentlemanly man, an excellent neighbor, and esteemed 
citizen. His hotel was old-fashioned and unpretentious, but 
exceedingly home-like in its comforts. For more than half a 
century the cuisine of “ The Grapes” had been noted, and one 
of Michael’s meals (especially the roast beef and pastry) was 
“ a feast fit for the gods.” Many of the eminent men of the 
country, of a past generation, have broken bread and sipped 
their Madeira at this old hostelrie. At the Armstrong or 
Wentz fire, on the night of the 14th of January, 1836, Mr. 
Michael closed up his hotel (in those days early hours were 


136 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


religiously kept), and walked up to see the fire. While stand¬ 
ing on the pavement, with his hands in his pockets, looking at 
the burning building, the gable end fell out and over him, and 
he was encircled by a window frame, from which the sash had 
previously been removed by the firemen. Strange to say, for¬ 
tunately for Mr. Michael, no injury resulted, but it was the fre¬ 
quent occasion in after years for many a laugh at his expense. 

An interesting incident in connection with this fire is told of 
the lamented Rt. Rev. Bishop Bowman. He responded with 
alacrity to the alarm, and with an axe, which he had thrown 
over his shoulder, began cutting away at a corner of the burn¬ 
ing building, taking it to be a frame structure ; but, as it hap¬ 
pened to be log and frame, he did not make much progress. 
However, he worked zealously to prevent the fire from spread¬ 
ing. The Bishop was tall, sinewy, graceful, and active, and 
worked with a will. He literally obeyed the Scriptural in¬ 
junction, “ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy 
might.” The efforts of himself and his fellow-citizens were 
successful in saving the surrounding buildings. This was not 
the only occasion when the sainted Bishop acted as a fireman. 
At the Hall or Buchanan fire, a few days subsequently, he was 
again on hand with his axe, and displayed a similar zeal in 
caring for the interests and saving the property of his 
neighbors. 

At the Diffenbach fire, on Sunday afternoon, December 3, 
1837, a laughable incident is related of the late Rev. Dr. John 
C. Baker, for twenty-five years the revered pastor of Trinity 
Lutheran Church. Few of the older citizens of this city who do 
not recollect good old Father Baker, “ an Israelite, indeed, 
in whom there was no guile.” The fire threatening the church, 

and the Sunday-school being in session at the time, Dr. Baker 

♦ 

naturally became worried and anxious. Rushing out to assist 
in averting the impending calamity, in his course through the 
alley an affrighted pig ran between his legs, upset him, and 
left him sprawling upon the ground. Fortunately, the flames 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


137 


were stayed, and the old church, with its grand and graceful 
steeple, (few, if any, that are more symmetrical), is left as 
one of the time-honored and admired buildings of the old 
Lancaster. 

In the alley-way of the residence of Col. William Gumpf, 
No. 108 East King street, there are eight fire-hooks in the 
wall, upon which the old fire-ladders were hung. When a 
boy, sixty years ago, Col. Gumpf has a distinct recollection of 
seeing these ladders taken down and carried to fires. This 
house is more than eighty years old, and the back building 
was erected at least a century and a quarter ago. When 
Thomas McKean was Governor of Pennsylvania, this resi¬ 
dence was the Gubernatorial Mansion, and afterward was the 
Lancaster Rank. 

In the days of the “ bucket, bag, and basket,” when the cry 
of fire was raised, the members of the fire companies would 
throw their buckets out of the windows or doors of their 
houses or places of business, and the first persons coming 
along would pick them up and carry them to the fire. On 
this account, occasionally, the buckets would be missing for 
several days, but in the end were taken back to the engine 
houses, and restored to their rightful owners. Many of our 
older citizens recollect seeing this time and again, and the in¬ 
cident was related with much gusto by one of the most dis¬ 
tinguished of the Union members, now on the Honorary List. 
This would be considered a ludicrous performance in this pro¬ 
gressive age; but with the means and facilities of the firemen 
fifty years since, and even less, it meant duty, and manifested 
the interest men had in the protection of the property of their 
neighbors, more especially as the firemen then were nearly all 
owners of real estate, and all worked for the common weal. 
If the old Union buckets, a few of which are yet in exist¬ 
ence, could speak, what a tale they could unfold of gallant ex¬ 
ploits and heroic sacrifices, of pleasure mingled with sorrow, 
of danger allied to duty, in the years which long since have 


138 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


passed down the stream of time. Ah, reader, in more ways 
than one were those “the times which tried men’s souls.” Well 
may the members of the Union honor the memories of the 
men who were the firemen of a half and a century ago. 

OUTSIDE WORK OF THE SUCTION AND STEAM ENGINES. 

The old Union Button suction engine was frequently called 
into service for the purpose of pumping out vaults, cellars, and 
wells. Upon one occasion, in the month of April, 1859, the 
beer vault belonging to the late Mr. Henry Franlce, at the 
corner of East Walnut and Shippen streets, became filled with 
water, which was attended with much annoyance and expense 
to Mr. Franke. Application had been made to the Friendship 
to pump it out, but, for want of sufficient suction hose, that 
company was unable to do so. The Union was then applied 
to, and they also being deficient in the same respect, had made 
a zinc pipe, seven feet long, which was soldered fast to the 
suction pipe, and undertook the task. The result is thus de¬ 
scribed in the Daily Express of Saturday, April 9, 1859: 

“ The superiority of the Button & Blake suction fire engine 
is most apparent at every new trial. It has proved itself not 
only efficient and valuable in case of fire, but also in cases 
where there is ‘too much water’—the filling in of cellars, vaults, 
&c. On Thursday, the capacity of the Union suction engine, 
No. 1, of this city, was thoroughly and satisfactorily tested. 
The large beer vault of Mr. Franke, corner of Shippen street 
and the New Holland pike, had filled up with water, and after 
trying various methods to get it out without success, he ap¬ 
plied to the members of the Union, who undertook the task 
of pumping it dry. The engine was put to work, and in six 
working hours threw out 32,085 gallons of water, being at 
the rate of 5,347 gallons per hour, or nearly 90 gallons per 
minute, and sucking the distance of nearly 25 feet. This is 
certainly a great feat, and deserves the attention of all who 
wish protection from the two great elements—fire and water. 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


139 


From a calculation made, the same quantity of water could 
have been pumped out in about two hours and a half had the 
engine been properly manned by about forty men.” 

The outside work done by the Union steamer is more re¬ 
markable still. Two articles, one describing the difficulty of 
pumping out a well belonging to the late Mr. Benjamin Mish- 
ler, and the other how the feat was accomplished, appear in 
the Daily Express. The first is from that journal of Friday, 
June 14, 1867 : 

“An Obstinate Well. —Mr. B. Mishler, up in his garden in 
Church street, has a large well of fine spring water, which has 
not been used for some time, but which he proposes to clean 
out and fit up for the accommodation of visitors. When Mr. 
Mishler conceives and adopts a plan, he will put it through, no 
matter what obstacles may be in his way. He has, however, 
very nearly met his match in his well, for it refuses to be 
pumped out so that it can be cleansed. After working with 
hand pumps for several days, he found out that he had made 
no progress, and abandoned that plan. Yesterday he got the 
steam fire engine of the Sun at work to suck the well dry, but 
the well proved as obstinate as Mishler, and refused to be 
sucked. After working several hours, it was proposed to flood 
the well with water from the fire plug, so as to give the 
steamer a better start. This was done, but after several hours 
of work no perceptible difference in the decrease of the water 
was observed, and night coming on, further operation was 
postponed until to-day. What measure of success attended 
the work to-day, we have not learned at this writing. But 
Mishler has made up his mind that the well must be thor¬ 
oughly cleansed, and it will be done.” 

Now for the result, which is thus given in the same paper 
of June 17, 1867 : 

“ That Obstinate Well .—We referred the other day to the 
well in the garden of Mr. Mishler, in Church street, which was 
so obstinate as to refuse to be pumped dry, in order that it 


140 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


could be cleaned out. We said, also, that Mishler was obsti¬ 
nate when he made up his mind to do anything. It was two 
forces operating against each other, and the stronger would 
conquer. Mishler proved the stronger. After several days’ 
work with all sorts of contrivances, he called in the aid of a 
steam fire engine, which worked two days without avail. 
There were other steam engines in town, however, and he 
made the proposition of a liberal reward to any one which 
would accomplish the object. The members of the Union 
Button engine promptly accepted the challenge, and this 
morning at 4 o’clock went to work, and, after two or three 
hours work, pumped the well so completely dry that it could 
be cleansed without difficulty. The debris brought up con¬ 
sisted of mud, tin kettles, pans, stones, and a lot of silver 
spoons ! Mishler intends to have the latter struck into a 
medal, in commemoration of the event, and presented to the 
Union.” 

The medal was subsequently struck, and is now in possession 
of the Company. It is of solid silver, made in the shape of a 
button, two inches in diameter, and one-eighth of an inch thick, 
with an engraving of the engine. On it is the following in¬ 
scription: “Presented to the Union S. F. E. & F. H. Co., No. 1, 
by Dr. Benj. Mishler, for pumping out the Well in his Garden, 
on Church st., June 17th, 1867.” 

In the month of July, 1867, the gasometer of the gas-works, 
at Columbia, was found to be much impaired. It became 
necessary to pump out the water, so that the repairs could 
be made. Application was made to the Union for the use of 
their Button steamer to do the work. The offer was accepted, 
and how successfully the work was accomplished, is thus 
noticed by the Daily Express , of the 9th of July : 

“ The gasometer is forty-two feet in depth, and the height 
of the water was fifteen feet four inches. The steamer got to 
work at 6 a. m., and continued without intermission—with the 
exception of a period of five minutes, when she was stopped in 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


141 


order to afford an opportunity to oil the machinery, etc.—for 
eight hours and ten minutes. The engine averaged two hun¬ 
dred and eighty revolutions a minute, and the total amount of 
gallons of water pumped out was 151,824. While working at 
her usual speed, a test was made by timing her, and in fif¬ 
teen minutes she threw out 6,006 gallons, over 24,000 gallons 
per hour. The engine pumped all the water out with the ex¬ 
ception of six inches. She worked beautifully and steadily, 
requiring neither blocking nor bracing in any way, and her 
performance was deservedly commended by all who witnessed 
it. A better test of the ability of the apparatus could hardly 
be made. It was a dead stretch of eight hours and ten 
minutes, with only an interval of five minutes during all that 
time During the day, there was a two hours’ rain-fall, but 
she went on without being the least incommoded. After the 
job was finished at the gas-works, the engine was taken to the 
Odd Fellows’ Hall, where it was intended to test her forcing 
powers; but the main being too small, she did not work to 
advantage. She, however, threw over the flag-staff in front of 
the hall with two streams. The steamer was brought back to 
this city last night, and by 11 o’clock was ready for service.” 

The steamer was in charge of Messrs. Thomas Thurlow, J. 
R. Waters, and Strickler R. Everts. 

But an even still more wonderful feat was accomplished by 
the steamer. In the month of August, 1868, there was a heavy 
rain, which filled cellars and vaults, prevented the pumping of 
water into the reservoirs, and stopped the supply of water to 
the city. Nos. 2 and 3 Cotton Mills being obliged to keep 
their works running, the master mechanic, Col. Thomas Thur¬ 
low, called upon the officers of the Union to send the steamer 
to their assistance, and supply the mills from a small run about 
three hundred feet from one, and six hundred feet from the 
other mill. The steamer was started at 5*^ o’clock in the 
morning, and kept running until 6 o’clock in the evening, 
only stopping half an hour at noon, to give the engineer and 


/ 


142 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 

fireman an opportunity to eat dinner. This was a severe test 
for a third-class engine, as the water was lifted through twenty 
feet of suction hose, and forced through three hundred and 
six hundred feet of hose to the fourth story of the mills. 

After this the steamer was taken to Franke’s beer vault, and 
lifted the water through thirty feet of suction hose perpendic¬ 
ularly, working for three hours without stopping. It has 
pumped out various cellars and vaults since that time. “ The 
laborer is worthy of his hire,” is an aphorism applicable here, 
for the outside work of the Union’s suction and steam engines 
has been the means of adding considerably to the revenue of 
the Company. 


RECENT ACCIDENTS. 

At an alarm of fire, on the evening of December, 17, 1878, 
Mr. George Gardner, one of the drivers, was kicked by the 
horse drawing the hose cart, and his knee-cap broken. A 
ball was held for his benefit at Fulton Opera House, on the 
evening of January 10, 1879, at which $91.50 were realized, 
and turned over to him. 

An alarm was given at 7 ]/ 2 o’clock, on Tuesday evening, the 
25th of February, 1879. The horses were promptly on hand, 
and in a few minutes hitched to the engine and on the road. 
The streets were covered with ice, and, in turning the corner 
of Market street into Orange, the engine was thrown violently 
to the opposite side of the street. The result was, one of the 
hind wheels was broken, upsetting the engine, and also some¬ 
what bending the suction arms and dinging one side of. the 
dome. Mr. Jacob R. Waters, Chief Engineer, and Messrs. 
W. IT Clepper and George H. Shenlc, Assistant Engineers, 
were on the rear of the engine at the time, and were thrown 
to the ground, but fortunately only slightly bruised. The 
driver, Mr. C. C. Geiter, escaped by jumping on the back of 
one of the horses. A pair of new wheels was ordered the 
next morning, and on Saturday evening following, February 



CHARLES A. HEINITSH, 

TREASURER FROM 1 866 TO 1 879 

I 








UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


143 


29th, the repairs having been made, the engine was taken 
to a plug and tried, when everything was found to be in 
complete working order. This is only characteristic of the 
promptness of the Union. 

WHO HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF THE UNION. 

Here and there scattered through the records are the names 
of those who have been active members of the Union from its 
organization down to the present time. The list given below, 
imperfect as it may be, is a formidable one, and comprises the 
names .of Adam Reigart, Sr., Edward Shippen, Robert Fulton 
(father of the inventor of the steamboat), William A. Atlee 
(one of the Justices of the first Supreme Court of Pennsyl¬ 
vania), Adam Simon Kuhn (a member of the Provincial Con¬ 
vention of 1775), George Ross (a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence), Wm. Henry (a member of Congress from 1784 
to 1786), Jasper Yeates (a Justice of the Supreme Court), Paul 
Zantzinger, Bernard Wolff, John Eberman (maker of the old- 
fashioned eight-day clock), Christopher Reigart, John Hubley, 
William Parr, Christopher Hager, John Joseph Henry, Adam 
Hubley, Adam Reigart, Jr., Stephen Chambers, Matthias 
Slough, James Burd, Charles Smith (a Judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas), John Eberman (cashier of the Farmers’ Bank 
of Lancaster), William Montgomery, James Hopkins, Robert 
Coleman, Joseph Ogilby (cashier of the Pennsylvania Branch 
Bank), John Passmore (first Mayor of Lancaster), Samuel 
Humes, M. D., George H. Krug, Walter Franklin (a Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas), Abraham Carpenter, M. D., 
James Espy (afterward a prominent merchant of Harrisburg), 
John Myer, Henry M. Reigart, Benjamin Ober, George, Wil¬ 
liam B., and James Ross (sons of the signer of the Declara¬ 
tion), Henry Shippen, Daniel Reigart, John N. Lane, John 
Reynolds (editor of the old Lancaster Journal , and father of 
the lamented hero of Gettysburg), James Buchanan (fifteenth 
President of the United States), Wm. C. Frazer, Edward Cole- 


144 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


man, Aug. J. Kuhn, Jos. Hubley, Gerardus Clarkson (cashier 
of the Farmers’ Bank), Robert C. Ross, Peter Hawman, Joshua 
Scott, James Evans (cashier of the old Lancaster Bank), Fred¬ 
erick Hubley, George Beckel, Jasper Y. Smith, John Rupley, 
Hugh Maxwell, Charles Kline, Henry R. Reed, George H. 
Whitaker, John Baer, Jasper Slaymaker, John Mathiot (Mayor 
of Lancaster from 1831 to 1842), Philip W. Reigart, Henry Y. 
Slaymaker, John Ehler, Philip Reitzel, John Carroll, Peter G. 
Eberman (the oldest living member of the Company), Jacob 
Eicholtz (the noted portrait painter), S. D. Orrick, Robert D. 
Carson (cashier of the Lancaster County Bank), John H. 
Duchman, Matthias Zahm (for nearly half a century crier of 
the courts of Lancaster County), John R. Montgomery, Chris¬ 
tian Rine, Michael McGrann, George W. Jacobs, Robert 
Moderwell, Edward C. W. Dawson, Benjamin Eshleman, Clark¬ 
son Freeman, M. D., Jacob Bear (the second oldest living mem¬ 
ber of the Company), Jacob Frey, Henry Hibshman, Thos. Jef¬ 
feries, William Ihling, John Brown, Willoughby L.Webb, Adam 
Diller (Adjutant General under Governor Porter’s administra¬ 
tion), Francis Russell, Arthur Armstrong, (a well-known por¬ 
trait painter), Edward Parker, Samuel R. Slaymaker, (a noted 
stage proprietor), Robert M. Barr, (for years Reporter of the 
Supreme Court), Benjamin Champneys (Judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas, and subsequently Attorney-General under 
Governor Shunk’s administration), Joshua W. Jack, William 
Downey, Jacob Weaver, Israel Carpenter, (a noted surveyor and 
conveyancer), Edward H. Brien, Daniel Harman, C. F. Hoff- 
meier, Robert King, M. W. Barton, Henry P. Carson, Peter 
Bier, M. D., Henry Rogers, Jacob Foltz, Thomas J. Barry, 
Newton Lightner, Thomas E. Franklin (Attorney-General 
under Governor Pollock’s administration), Henry E. Leman, 
Henry S. Magraw (State Treasurer of Pennsylvania in 1856- 
57), George M. Steinman, Adam Metzger, Christian Widmyer, 
Christian Gast, George Getz, Henry Garrecht, Charles Nauman, 
Samuel E. Gundaker, Frederick Dern, Elijah McLenagan, 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


145 


James B. Lane, Henry C. Locher, M. O. Kline, John P. Myer, 
John L. Thompson, William F. Bryan, Christian H. Lefever, 
John F. Shroeder, G. Taylor Lane, James Smith, Edward B. 
Grubb, Henry Hegener, Philip Ranninger, William C. Hull, 
Lewis Hurford, Jacob Christ, George W. Reichenbach, Adam 
Rotharmel, Michael Malone, Richard McGrann, Alexander 
Cassidy, M. D., Bernard McGrann, Bernard Flynn, Henry 
Wilhelm, Henry Carpenter, M. D., A. H. Carpenter, M. D., 
J. Aug. Elder, M. D., W. O. Jenkins, George Wilhelm, John 
W. P'orney (now editor of Progress ), Anthony E. Roberts 
(member of Congress from 1854 to 1858), Horace Rathvon, 
(cashier of the First National Bank), Christian Shertz, Conrad 
Silvius, Return E. Fahnestock, C. Amandus Elder, John W. 
Hubley, Henry Barnett, Watson H. Miller, George D. 
Sprecher, James L. Reynolds (Quartermaster-General under 
Governor Curtin’s administration), Charles W. Cooper, Wil¬ 
liam L. Peiper (cashier of the Lancaster County National 
Bank), Amos Slaymaker, Rev. Alexander H. Shertz, John H. 
Reigart, John D. Skiles, George K. Reed, Amaziah C. Barr, 
Robert R. Carson, William B. Strine, Stephen C. Slaymaker, 
Reuben Black, J. Augustus Beck (now a well-known artist 
of Harrisburg), Strickler R. Everts, Simon P. Eby, Thomas 
Black, Jacob S. Duchman, Edward M. Eberman, James H. 
Reigart, P. Gonter Eberman, William B. Harman, and John 
P. Weise. 

It rarely or seldom happens that all the members of a 
family are members of one organization, but the Union can 
boast of this. The Hegener family, consisting of Henry 
Hegener, father, and J. H. Hegener, Jr., Frank Hegener, Ben¬ 
jamin Hegener, and G. Edw. Hegener, his sons, are all active 
members of the company at the present time. 

OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY—PAST AND PRESENT. 

The first President elected was Mr. Adam Reigart, Jr., who 
was chosen on the 16th of January, 1813. He was re-elected 
for thirty-one years, until his death, in 1844. 


146 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


On the 8th of June, 1844, Mr. Henry R. Reed, who had so 
long occupied the position of Secretary and Treasurer, was 
chosen Mr. Reigart’s successor, but, owing to his expected 
removal from the city, he was forced to decline the honor. 

On the 13th of July, 1844, Mr. John Ehler, who had for 
many years been active and efficient in the service of the 
Company, was elected. He served until 1848. Mr. Ehler 
was High Sheriff of Lancaster County from 1842 to 1845. 

On the 8th of January, 1848, Mr. Newton Lightner was 
elected Sheriff Elder’s successor. Mr. Lightner’s suavity pf 
manner, superior executive ability, prompt and efficient dis¬ 
charge of the duties, made him an admirable presiding officer. 
He served until 1855, when he declined a re-election. 

On the 5th of January, 1855, Mr. Charles W. Cooper (now 
a resident of Pittsburgh) was elected. He only served for one 
year. 

January 4, 1856, Capt. Henry E. Slaymaker was chosen, and 
has been continued in the position ever since. 

SECRETARIES. 

From 1760 to 1813, the following gentlemen served respect¬ 
ively as Secretaries: Henry Dehuff, John Eberman, Adam 
Reigart, Sr., Charles Clugh, Lodwick Stone, Christopher Rei- 
gart, William A. Atlee, John Stone, Christopher Crawford, 
Samuel Boyd, Christopher Ginther, Abraham Riblet, George 
Burkhart, James Burd, Edward Shippen, William Henry, 
Robert Boyd, John Sayre, M. D., Joseph Simons, Matthias 
Slough, Anthony Snyder, Christian Voght, Godfried Kline, 
Rudolph Stone, John Hopson, Bernard Wolff, Matthias Dehuff, 
Jasper Yeates, Matthias Graeff, George Graeff, Peter Riblet, 
Michael Musser, Leonard Kline, Paul Zantzinger, George 
Ross, Jr., John Hubley, William B. Ross, Charles Hall, James 
Ross, Andrew Levy, John Graeff, Frederick Hubley, Conrad 
Swartz, Valentine Krug, George Musser, Joseph Shippen, Jr., 
Jacob Graeff, Stephen Chambers, Adam Hubley, Jr., Myer 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


H7 


Solomon, Michael App, James Jacks, Solomon Etting, Henry 
Bennett, Christopher Hager, Frederick Kuhn, Thomas Turner, 
John Trissler, William Kirkpatrick, Alexander Scott, John 
Joseph Henry, Adam Reigart, Jr., Christian Stake, Charles 
Smith, William Montgomery, James Hopkins, George Graeff, 
George Slough. 

On the 16th of January, 1813, John Eberman was elected to 
the position, to serve for one year. He was continued until 
1818, when he declined a re-election. 

George Beckel served from 1818 to 1823. 

Henry R. Reed, from 1823 to 1841. 

John W. Hubley, from 1841 to 1842. 

John Brown, from 1842 to 1849. 

J. B. Kaufman, from 1849 to 1852. Mr. Kaufman resigned 
on the 14th of August, 1852. A vote of thanks was tendered 
him “ for the able manner in which he had served the Com¬ 
pany.” Under his administration the finances of the Company 
got upon a sure footing. 

George K. Reed, from 1852 to 1862. 

Frank L. Calder, from 1862 to 1863. 

Edwin E. Snyder, from 1863 to 1869. 

George W. Kendrick, from 1869 to 1875. 

Robert Clark, from 1875 to 1876. 

George W. Kendrick, from 1876 to 1877. 

G. Edw. Hegener, from 1877 to 1879. 

TREASURERS. 

At the beginning of the records of the Company, in August, 
1764, Mr. Christopher Crawford was serving as Treasurer. 

James Burd was his successor, and served from 1765 to 
1766. 

Henry Dehuff, from 1766 to 1789. 

Adam Reigart, Sr., the great-grandfather of the present 
President of the Company, from 1789 to 1813. 

John Eberman, from 1813 to 1818. 


148 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


George Beckel, from 1818 to 1823. 

Henry R. Reed, from 1823 to 1841. 

John W. Hubley, from 1841 to 1842. 

John Brown, from 1842 to 1849. 

J. B. Kaufman, from 1849 to 1852. 

George K. Reed, from 1852 to 1866. 

Charles A. Heinitsh, from 1866 to 1879. 

A careful inspection of the records exhibits the fact that 
from the beginning the Company was exceedingly fortunate 
in the selection of its officers. The minutes of most of the 
Secretaries are well kept, some of them admirably, and in such 
a shape that it has been comparatively an easy matter to arrive 
at information sought for. But for this fact, this sketch would 
necessarily have been deficient, in some respects at least. 

THE COMPANY’S RELICS. 

In the Company’s museum are a number of relics, which 
are carefully treasured and preserved. They are noticed as 
nearly according to age as possible. 

Two fire buckets—one belonging to Robert Fulton, father 
of the inventor of the steamboat; the other to the late John 
Myer. Both have upon them the year of organization, 1760. 

One of the fire ladders made in 1785. 

A brass plate, with the inscription, “ Instituted 1760,” which 
was taken from the front of the old hand-engine. 

A willow basket, 38 inches long, 21 inches wide, and 15 
inches high. It is about double the size of an ordinary wash- 
basket, and in an excellent state of preservation. It is known 
to have been used as far back as 1811. 

A green pole used for forming ranks. Presented by the late 
John Baer, editor and proprietor of the Lancaster Volksfreund , 
father of the present owners of that establishment. 

Two bags. No. 1, name of the donor not known. No. 16, 
owned and presented by the late George H. Krug. Both are 
marked 1760. They resemble salt sacks, were called “plunder 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


149 


bags,” and used by the members at a fire to carry out valu¬ 
ables from a burning building. Both are well preserved, and 
made of the best quality of flax. 

A helmet of 1814, which was worn by the engineers and 
axemen. 

Two satin banners—one made in 1837, presented by the late 
Mrs. Emanuel C. Reigart, then Miss Henrietta Reigart; the 
other, carried for the first time in the parade of May 3, 1838, 
presented by the late Mrs. Henry S. Magraw, then Miss Emily 
Hopkins. 

A copper fire trumpet, presented by Hon. Thomas E. Frank¬ 
lin, in 1840. 

A silver fire trumpet, presented by the Lafayette Hose Com¬ 
pany, of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1843. 

A plaster of Paris statue of Washington, and busts of sim¬ 
ilar material of Jackson and Lafayette, which belonged to the 
old Lancaster Fencibles. 

A sword from the Antietam battle-field. Presented by Capt. 
Philip L. Sprecher, of the Union Guards. 

Four silver torches, presented by lady friends of the Com¬ 
pany on the 22d of October, 1866. 

Photographs and names of the members, inclosed in a large 
frame, who participated in the Centennial parade, August 14, 
i860. 

Photograph of a company of the Fire Department of Frank- 
fort-on-the-Main, Germany. Sent from Germany. 

A card from the U. S. Hose Company, No. 14, of Phila¬ 
delphia, containing photographs and names of the members 
who were the guests of the Union during a visit in 1867. 

Upon the wall, just back of the President’s desk, is a mag¬ 
nificent testimonial from the Hibernia Engine Company, No. 
1, of Philadelphia, presented March 11, 1868, as a mark of 
respect for the many kind attentions, especially on the occa¬ 
sion of the parade of October 17, 1867, by the Union members. 

The card of thanks, neatly engrossed, from the citizens of 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


150 

Litiz, for the aid rendered at the fire in that village on the 31st 
of July, 1873. 

On the walls of the parlor hang portraits of Henry E. Slay- 
maker, Charles A. Heinitsh, George K. Reed, and the late 
B. F. Baer and Stuart A. Wylie. 

Perhaps one of the rarest, certainly one of the most inter¬ 
esting, relics, is a bottle, old-fashioned and odd-shaped, 
moulded in sand, with the name “Joseph Simons, 1760,“ 
blown in upon the side. Mr. Simons was one of the earliest 
members of the Company. This bottle came into the posses¬ 
sion of the Company about fifteen years ago. In 1866, it was 
filled with “Old Reigart Brandy,” of the vintage of 1845, 
and a label, written in the elegant chirography of Mr. Charles 
R. Frailey, was pasted upon it. It reads : “ Old Brandy, vint¬ 
age 1845, made by Pinet, Castillon & Co., Cognac, France. 
Imported by H. E. Slaymaker, Agent for Reigart’s Old Wine 
Store, per the William Frothingham, Capt. Owsely, port of 
New York, Dec’r 9th, 1865, and presented by H. E. Slaymaker 
to the Union Steam Fire Engine and Forcing Hose Co., No. 1, 
with the request that it shall not be opened until the Bi-Cen- 
* tennial Anniversary, August 14th, i960.” This bottle was 
intrusted to the care of Mr. Charles A. Heinitsh, Treasurer, 
and has since been placed by him with the other records of 
the Company in the vault of the Farmers’ Bank of Lancaster. 

When the second centennial of the Union Fire Company 
shall have come round in the cycle of time, and this bottle be 
opened, who among the present generation will be there to see 
and taste? It is hardly within the range of possibility that 
the child is living to-day who will be so fortunate. The 
Psalmist says: “ The days of our years are three score years 
and ten, and if by reason of strength they be four score years, 
yet is their strength labor and sorrow—for it is soon cut off, 
and we fly away.” The reader can make his own comment. 
Nearly one hundred years to come! 


UNION FIRE COMPANY, NO. I. 


J>5I 

“ Where, where will be the birds that sing 
A hundred years to come ? 

The flowers that now’ in beauty spring, 

A hundred years to come ? 

The rosy lips, the lofty brow, 

The heart that beats so gaily now, 

Oh ! where will be love’s beaming eye, 

Joy’s pleasant smile, and sorrow’s sigh, 

A hundred years to come ? 

“ Who’ll press for gold this crowded street 
A hundred years to come ? 

Who’ll tread yon church with willing feet 
A hundred years to come ? 

Pale, trembling age, and fiery youth, 

And childhood with its heart of truth, 

The rich, the poor, on land and sea, 

Where will the mighty millions be, 

A hundred years to come ? 

“ We all within our graves shall sleep 
A hundred years to come ; 

No living soul for us will weep 
A hundred years to come ; 

But other men our lands will till, 

And others then our streets will fill, 

While other birds will sing as gay, 

And bright the sun shine as to-day, 

A hundred years to come !” 

CONCLUSION. 

Finis is reached. This Historical Sketch is ended, and the 
story of the one hundred and nineteen years of existence of 
the Union Fire Company has been narrated. The exhuming 
of musty records and archives, has confirmed, beyond perad- 
venture, the seniority of the organization in the Fire Depart¬ 
ment of Lancaster. It is thought the collation of these pages 
will give pleasure, and, in some respects, impart information, 
so that the time, labor, and research bestowed upon the work 
will not have been in vain. 


ACTIVE MEMBERS, 1879. 


Ackerman, John W., 
Albright, John, 
Bateman, Jacob, 

Bauer, Eugene, 
Bausman, S. D., 

Biggs, Joseph C., 
Borger, George W , 
Clark, Robert, 

Clepper, William H., 
Clinton, Albert, 

Cox, William F., 
Cummings, G. Byron, 
Curry, George, 

Davis, George, 

Deaner, John, 

Effinger, Charles, 
Fisher, George L., 
Fisher, William F., 
Hegener, G. Edw , 
Heinitsh, Charles A., 
Henry, William, 
Keller, Jacob F., 
Kempf, Philip, 
Lamparter, E. J., 
Lebkicher, J. B., 
Lehman, Charles, 
Lyte, J. L., 

Martin, John L., 

May, C. F., 
McLaughlin, William, 
Miller, J. Henry, 


Myers, Paul, 

Nauman, William, 
Overdeer, Silas, 
Patterson, Charles F., 
Reynolds, Elwood, 
Risse, Victor, 
Rotharmel, D. L.,- 
Seith, Charles W., 
Seith, Frederick G , 
Shenk, George H., 
Shirk, Reuben, 

Shultz, Charles, 
Slaymaker, Henry E., 
Smith, Philip, 

Snyder, E. E., 

Snyder, Henry, 

Spicer, Frank, 

Staley, John, 

Stanley, A. J. K., 
Stanton, E. H., 
Thackara, William H., 
Thurlow, Thomas, 
Trissler, E. H., 

Waters, Jacob R., 
Weitzel, John, 

Wetzel, S. M., 

Wetzel, William C., 
Young, Charles, 
Youngman, Percy, 
Zahm, Al. M., 

Zahm, George E. 


( 152 ) 




HONORARY MEMBERS. 1879. 


Baer, C. Rine, 

Baer, Reuben A., 

Bear, Jacob, 

Boyle, John A., 
Breneman, A. N., 
Broome, Bernard, 
Carpenter, Henry, M. I)., 
Doersh, George L., 
Downey, James F., 
Dunlap, John M., M.\D., 
Eberman, Peter G., 
Ehler, C. Amandus, 
Ehler, J. Aug., M. I)., 
Erisman, Daniel, 

Everts, Strickler R., 
Franklin, Thomas E., 
Garrecht, Henry, 

Gast, Christian, 

Gem perl ing, John, 

Grosh, J. L., 

Gundaker, Samuel E., 
Hegener, Frank, 
Hegener, Henry, Sr., 
Hegener, J. Benj., 
Hegener, J. H., Jr , 


HotTmeier, Jacob L., 
Hubley, John W., 
Kaufman, Junius B., 
Kautz, Edward, 
Lehman, J. B., 

Lee, Amos, 

Leech, Richard T., 
Lichty, J. B., 

Lightner, Newton, 
Michael, Webb, 

Millar, William, 
Overdeer, John A., 
Reed, George K., 
Reynolds, James L., 
Sheaff, Henry, 

Shober, John A., 
Shober, William H., 
Slaymaker, Amos, 
Slaymaker, Samuel E., 
Walker, Michael, 
Weitzel, W. H„ 
Wilhelm, Henry, 
Zahm, Edw. J., 

Zahm, Michael. 

('53) 






















































